Tensions are high in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, as it prepares for a large anti-government protest scheduled for Saturday. This demonstration, expected to attract tens of thousands of students and citizens from all over the country, acts as a focal point for ongoing anti-corruption protests that have swept through Serbia for several months. It’s also seen as a significant challenge to the authority of President Aleksandar Vucic’s right-wing administration, which has been facing increasing criticism from the public.
The President, whose leadership style has received much scrutiny, has cautioned that the protest may become violent and has signaled potential legal actions against those involved in disturbances. His supporters have set up encampments in the heart of the city, raising concerns about possible confrontations with those attending the protest.
Among the demonstrators are students who have been making their way to Belgrade via marching or cycling for several days, with an anticipated arrival on Friday evening to a festival-like atmosphere downtown. A group from Novi Sad was warmly received in Nova Pazova on their route to the capital.
Emilija Djurdjevic, part of the marching group, expressed optimism about the event. “I honestly hope that there will not be any major problems,” she stated, emphasizing that their intentions are peaceful and expressing a positive outlook.
Past student-led protests in various Serbian cities have been peaceful and attracted large crowds, underscoring the determination and the peaceful approach of the movement. Meanwhile, pro-government forces have stationed tractors around a park close to the presidential building in Belgrade where they plan to hold a counter-demonstration. Additional security measures include the closure of the Parliament building for three days.
In a controversial move on Friday, the Serbian rail company Srbijavoz announced a suspension of all intercity services citing a purported bomb threat. This decision is interpreted by many as a strategy to prevent more people from joining the protests in Belgrade. In light of this, reports have surfaced of bus service cancellations to the city, leading students to innovatively launch an online platform facilitating carpool rides for those in need of transportation.
The anti-corruption movement in Serbia gained momentum after a deadly incident where a canopy collapse at a train station in the northern part of the country resulted in 15 casualties over four months prior. This tragic event has fueled continuous protests and shaken President Vucic’s hold on power, leading to growing calls for changes in governance.
While Serbia is formally on a path to joining the European Union, the ruling party has faced allegations of undermining democratic principles while simultaneously forging stronger ties with Russia and China. Despite pressures, Vucic has dismissed calls for a transitional government arrangement leading to new elections within six months, insisting that he will resign “only if they kill me.”
Vucic has characterized the demonstrations as an externally orchestrated effort to unseat him and destabilize Serbia, a narrative he intends to elaborate on during a national address planned for later on Friday.
Many citizens attribute the catastrophic collapse in Novi Sad on November 1 to government malfeasance and oversight failures, which resulted in substandard rehabilitation of the train station, further fueling public outcry and disillusionment with the current administration.
