Police meet for anti-government protesters in Serbia for new elections

Police meet for anti-government protesters in Serbia for new elections

in Belgrade met the riot police and thousands of anti-government demonstrators on Saturday. This big rally was directed against the populist president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic , and was called to request a early parliamentary election.

a mixture of hope and tension

The protest event, in which tens of thousands of participation took place after almost eight months of uninterrupted demonstrations, which were led by Serbian university students and let Vucic’s rule wiggle over the Balkans. The huge amount sang: "We want to vote!" As they filled the central Slavija Square in Belgrade and several surrounding streets, whereby many could not even reach the venue.

tensions and clashes

The tensions were high before and during the meeting. The riot police was stationed around the government building and near a warehouse of Vucic’s supporters in central element. Near the camp, there were clashes between the police and groups from demonstrators.

A call to change

"Elections are a clear way out of the social crisis caused by the government's actions, which clearly acts against the interests of their own people," said a student who did not give her name in her speech on stage. "Today, on June 28, 2025, we explain the current government for illegitimate." At the end of the official part of the rally, the students asked the crowd to "take the freedom into their own hands".

The root of protests

The university students are a driving force behind nationwide anti-corruption protests that after the collapse of a renovated Bahnhofsdachs on November 1, in which 16 people died. Many blamed the government for the tragic accident and the resulting corruption and neglect in state infrastructure projects, which repeatedly led to mass protests.

The government's reaction

vucic and its right -wing extremist Serbian progress party have repeatedly rejected the demand for early elections and accused the demonstrators of wanting to incorporate violence on behalf of foreign powers. At the same time, the authorities reacted with a procedure against the striking universities and other opponents and press independent media under pressure while trying to dampen the protests.

symbolism of the protest day

on Saturday, which marks the St. Vitus Day-a religious holiday, on which the Serbs are reminiscent of a 14th century battle against the Ottomans in Kosovo-many of the speakers called the topic that was already used in the 1990s to strengthen Serbian nationalism. Vucic’s party also brought numerous followers by bus to Belgrade, many weared T-shirts with the inscription: "We don't give up Serbia". These supporters joined a camp of his loyalists in the city, which has been operated since mid -March.

The future of Serbia

"People don't have to worry - the state is defended and the rabble is held accountable," said Vucic in a press conference. The presidential and parliamentary elections in Serbia stand for 2027. Last week, several people were arrested who were supposed to plan a coup, while others were denied entry into the country without explanation.

The Serbian railway company ceased train traffic due to an alleged bomb threat, which was seen by critics as an obvious attempt to prevent people from traveling to the rally. These measures had already taken place in March in front of the largest anti-government protest to date in Serbia, which mobilized hundreds of thousands. Vucic’s supporters had built a camp in a park outside of his office, which still exists.

Although he has become authoritarian over the years, Vucic justifies his endeavor to lead Serbia to the European Union. However, critics claim that at the same time he suffocated democratic freedoms and that relationships with Russia and China were strengthened.