In Belgrade, Serbia, a massive protest unfolded against the country’s populist leader, President Aleksandar Vucic, with demonstrators demanding an early parliamentary election. Breaking eight months of persistent dissent primarily led by university students, the rally drew tens of thousands who crowded the central Slavija Square and adjacent streets, loudly chanting demands for elections. Before long, the rally escalated into clashes with riot police, leading to dozens of protesters being detained.
Demonstrators, some of whom covered their faces with scarves and masks, used garbage cans to shield themselves from police batons. Chaotic scenes ensued, with police resorting to pepper spray to disperse the crowd. A number of police officers and citizens sustained injuries amid the unrest. Meanwhile, President Vucic expressed his confidence in victory through a social media post. Alongside a political career marked by a shift from nationalism to increasing authoritarianism, Vucic is scrutinized by critics for diminishing democratic freedoms and forming close ties with nations such as Russia and China.
As night fell and the protest formally drew to a close, some demonstrators hurled eggs and bottles at police preventing their advance toward a downtown park, where Vucic’s loyal supporters have encamped for months as a human shield for his headquarters. Serbia’s Interior Minister, Ivica Dacic, claimed that protest participants had attacked the police, prompting law enforcement to act in restoring public order by detaining suspected troublemakers.
The crowd’s calls for elections were echoed from the stage by an anonymous university student who announced the current authorities as illegitimate in the face of a deepening social crisis, suggesting that elections are necessary for national recovery. The role of university students remains pivotal in the recurring anti-corruption demonstrations that erupted after a tragic accident at a rail station—where a canopy collapse killed 16 people—exposed allegedly rampant government corruption.
Despite their dwindling numbers in recent weeks, the protest on Saturday highlighted a steadfast resolve among citizens dissatisfied with Vucic’s regime, as chants against corruption and demands for justice reverberated through the streets. While the Serbian government reported attendance figures at 36,000, an independent group estimated nearly 140,000 participants had rallied against the president.
Saturday also marked St. Vitus Day, a national holiday commemorating a significant historical battle, which has held symbolic importance in Serbia for centuries. Speeches at the rally referenced themes of nationalism that were reminiscent of the 1990s, a particularly turbulent era for the Balkans.
Ahead of the massive student-led protest, Vucic’s party mobilized crowds of its supporters from across the country to bolster his presence in Belgrade, highlighting ongoing political tension. Simultaneously, Vucic handed out awards in an apparent demonstration of continued governance and control. Despite the backdrop of unrest, Serbian elections are not scheduled until 2027.
Provocative governmental actions ahead of Saturday’s rally, such as the arrest of several individuals accused of planning to overthrow the government and questionable travel bans on foreigners, further intensified the climate of unrest gripping the nation. Authorities halted train services due to an alleged bomb threat, seeking to complicate protestors’ plans to reach the capital. The demonstration echoes earlier massive anti-government action reflecting widespread discontent and the fervent call for change in Serbia.