Several dozen antigovernment protesters were taken into custody following skirmishes with police forces in Serbia’s capital during a large-scale demonstration against President Aleksandar Vucic, a populist leader, who is being pressured to call for an early parliamentary election.
This significant demonstration, which brought together thousands of opponents, was the latest in a near eight-month wave of steady resistance spearheaded by Serbia’s university students, creating unease for Vucic’s stronghold on the Balkan nation’s governance.
Crowds of demonstrators filled Belgrade’s central Slavija Square and the surrounding areas on Saturday, chanting, “We want elections!” as many were unable to reach the rally’s venue due to overcrowding.
Interior Minister Ivica Dacic of Serbia reported that some of the protesters assaulted law enforcement officials. He claimed that police responded with the intention to maintain public order and “arrest anyone who attacked the police”.
During the altercations, protesters were seen donning scarves and masks, using garbage bins as shields against baton-wielding police officers. The officers reportedly used pepper spray before employing their shields to push back the crowds.
Vucic and his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party have consistently rejected calls for an expedited vote and accused the protest movement of aiming to incite violence based on foreign directives, though no such directives or proof has been provided.
Despite the dwindling numbers observed in the recent weeks, Saturday’s substantial turnout at the anti-Vucic rally was indicative of the ongoing determination of the protest movement, defying continuous pressure and marking nearly eight months of almost daily protests.
According to reports from Serbian authorities, there were 36,000 people in attendance at the start of the protest on Saturday. Meanwhile, an independent group that monitors public gatherings stated that approximately 140,000 individuals, predominantly students, took part in the rally.
Presidential and parliamentary elections in Serbia are currently scheduled for 2027.
This significant demonstration, which brought together thousands of opponents, was the latest in a near eight-month wave of steady resistance spearheaded by Serbia’s university students, creating unease for Vucic’s stronghold on the Balkan nation’s governance.
Crowds of demonstrators filled Belgrade’s central Slavija Square and the surrounding areas on Saturday, chanting, “We want elections!” as many were unable to reach the rally’s venue due to overcrowding.
Interior Minister Ivica Dacic of Serbia reported that some of the protesters assaulted law enforcement officials. He claimed that police responded with the intention to maintain public order and “arrest anyone who attacked the police”.
During the altercations, protesters were seen donning scarves and masks, using garbage bins as shields against baton-wielding police officers. The officers reportedly used pepper spray before employing their shields to push back the crowds.
Vucic and his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party have consistently rejected calls for an expedited vote and accused the protest movement of aiming to incite violence based on foreign directives, though no such directives or proof has been provided.
Despite the dwindling numbers observed in the recent weeks, Saturday’s substantial turnout at the anti-Vucic rally was indicative of the ongoing determination of the protest movement, defying continuous pressure and marking nearly eight months of almost daily protests.
According to reports from Serbian authorities, there were 36,000 people in attendance at the start of the protest on Saturday. Meanwhile, an independent group that monitors public gatherings stated that approximately 140,000 individuals, predominantly students, took part in the rally.
Presidential and parliamentary elections in Serbia are currently scheduled for 2027.
