Tension Mounts as Pro-Government Rally in Serbia Draws Thousands Amid Unrest

Tens of thousands gathered in Belgrade for a pro-government rally led by President Vucic; attendance, however, was diminished compared to previous anti-government protests. The rally comes amid ongoing unrest fueled by public outrage over infrastructure failures and perceived government malpractice.

Tens of thousands of supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic gathered in Belgrade for a pro-government rally, marking a response to several months of civil unrest. An independent monitoring group estimated the crowd to be around 55,000, although this number fell short compared to the significant turnout of anti-government protests held just a month prior. The rally was promoted as the "Movement for the People and the State," which Vucic characterized as an essential step to protect Serbia from groups threatening its national integrity.

The political climate intensified after a tragic accident in November when a railway station canopy in Novi Sad collapsed, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals. This event sparked widespread demonstrations, with many citizens directly attributing the disaster to the alleged corruption and negligence of Vucic's Progressive Party. Protesters have wielded the slogan "corruption kills," decrying the opaque processes that have given rise to unsafe infrastructure funded by the government.

During his address at the rally, Vucic condemned the ongoing student-led protests, accusing participants of receiving financial backing from foreign intelligence agencies. He did not specify which nations he believed were involved but suggested that external forces seek to undermine Serbia's independence. Additionally, Vucic criticized national broadcaster RTS for purported complicity in attempts to facilitate a "colour revolution" against his administration.

The backdrop of growing dissent stems from his governing party's perceived failures over more than a decade, including safety lapses in major infrastructure projects that many believe prioritize profit over public welfare. As protests continued to escalate, a prior demonstration attracted an estimated 325,000 individuals—reportedly the largest in Serbia's history. Nonetheless, as Vucic seeks to rally his base, the country remains divided, a situation warranting close monitoring as both sides of the political spectrum confront the challenges ahead.