Belgrade, Serbia — Tens of thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Serbia’s capital on Saturday, demanding early parliamentary elections and an end to what they describe as a decade of authoritarian rule under President Aleksandar Vucic. The massive turnout marked a significant moment in a protest movement that has stretched for nearly eight months, shaking the political foundation of the Balkan state.
Chanting “We want elections!”, the crowd packed Slavija Square and spilled into surrounding blocks in central Belgrade, creating a sea of Serbian flags and protest banners. Organizers said the demonstration, led by university students, aimed to pressure Vucic into calling early elections — a demand he and his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) have so far flatly rejected.
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The protest movement began after a tragic November 1 train station roof collapse killed 16 people, an incident widely blamed on corruption and negligence in state infrastructure projects. Since then, recurring protests have drawn attention to broader concerns over government accountability, media freedom, and democratic backsliding.
“We are here today because we cannot take it anymore,” said Darko Kovacevic, a protester from Novi Sad. “Corruption is everywhere, and no one is held accountable.”
Rising Tensions and Counter-Rallies
Tensions escalated in the lead-up to the rally. Earlier in the day, Vucic’s party bused in supporters from across Serbia, many donning T-shirts reading “We won’t give up Serbia.” These loyalists have been camped in Belgrade’s city center since mid-March in a counter-demonstration effort organized by the ruling party.
Despite government claims that protest numbers were waning, the turnout on Saturday appeared to reinvigorate the movement, signaling enduring public frustration. Serbian police, controlled by the interior ministry under Vucic’s government, estimated 36,000 attendees at the rally’s start, though independent observers suggested the number was significantly higher.
In a show of defiance, Vucic appeared unfazed, continuing with official duties including the presentation of presidential awards to public figures. Speaking to reporters, he said, “The state will be defended, and thugs will be brought to justice.”
Repression and Accusations
Authorities have stepped up pressure on activists, universities, and independent media in recent months. Earlier this week, several people were arrested on accusations of plotting to overthrow the government, while travel bans were imposed on individuals from Croatia and Montenegro, including a prominent theater director.
In what critics labeled a deliberate attempt to suppress turnout, Serbia’s railway company suspended train services due to an unverified bomb threat, a move reminiscent of similar tactics used during the March 15 rally — then the largest protest in Serbia’s recent history.
Some protesters allege that sonic weapons were used by police in March to disperse crowds, an accusation the government denies.
Symbolic Date and Nationalist Undertones
The rally coincided with St. Vitus Day, a significant national holiday commemorating a 14th-century battle against the Ottoman Empire. While some speakers evoked historical and nationalist themes, others focused on democratic renewal and the need for transparency.
Analysts say the rally demonstrates the protest movement’s persistence despite intimidation tactics and state control over much of Serbia’s media landscape.
Background and Outlook
Vucic, a former ultranationalist who later embraced a pro-EU stance, has been accused by rights groups of eroding democratic institutions while forging stronger ties with Russia and China. Though Serbia’s presidential and parliamentary elections are not scheduled until 2027, protestors insist the time for change is now.
Whether the movement can force early elections remains uncertain, but Saturday’s display of unity and defiance sends a clear message: discontent with the status quo is growing — and it’s not going away.
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