Tensions Escalate in Belgrade as Anti-Government Protests Erupt

In a significant uprising, Serbian police and a vast crowd of roughly 140,000 anti-government demonstrators clashed in Belgrade, as frustrations mount against President Aleksandar Vucic's long-standing rule. Protesters demand an end to the current administration and early elections, leading to heightened tensions and numerous detainments by authorities.

Serbian police faced off against a massive assembly of approximately 140,000 anti-government protesters in Belgrade, with calls for early elections and a conclusion to President Aleksandar Vucic's 12-year grip on power. The protest marks the largest gathering in recent months amid a wave of student-led demonstrations seeking to unseat the populist government. Chants of "We want elections!" echoed across the city as tensions reached a boiling point.

In the clashes, riot police deployed tear gas and stun grenades, resulting in dozens of arrests. President Vucic alleged that the protestors' calls for an election were part of a foreign conspiracy aimed at destabilizing Serbia, asserting on his Instagram account that their efforts had been thwarted. On Friday, the Serbia Higher Court confirmed the detention of five individuals accused of plotting to overthrow the government.

The police minister condemned the violence flaring from the protests and pledged that those responsible would face arrest. With months of protests—including disruptions at universities—having unsettled Mr. Vucic, looming parliamentary elections are also set for 2027, prompting speculation about his political future.

Local resident Sladjana Lojanovic, a 37-year-old farmer, voiced her concerns about corruption, asserting that elections are essential for change, although she doubts Mr. Vucic would relinquish power without resistance. The current government coalition, led by Vucic’s Progressive Party, commands 156 of the 250 parliamentary seats.

Opponents have accused Vucic and his cohorts of links to organized crime, as well as curbing media freedoms and engaging in violent tactics against rivals—all of which they deny. Despite Serbia's candidacy for EU membership, the country has not adopted the sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, a position that ties Vucic to Moscow.

Protests—a response to the tragic collapse of the Novi Sad railway station roof that killed 16 people last November—first began last December, as citizens blamed systemic corruption for the disaster. Consequently, the incident forced the resignation of the former prime minister.

As the demonstration concluded, organizers rallied the crowd, urging Serbians to reclaim their freedom while holding authorities accountable for escalating tensions. They asserted that the government had the means to address concerns but chose repression instead.