Thousands protest in Belgrade against Serbian president

Tens of thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Belgrade on Saturday, joining what has become one of the largest anti-government protests in Serbia in recent years.

Organised by university students, the rally aimed to hold President Aleksandar Vucic accountable for corruption, negligence, and the tragic roof collapse at a train station in Novi Sad in November 2024, which killed 15 people.

Police reported that the crowd reached 107,000 people at its peak, with independent Serbian media estimating even higher numbers.

Despite intermittent rain, the protesters filled the streets, waving flags and chanting slogans, demanding justice for the victims of the Novi Sad tragedy. The protest, dubbed “15 for 15,” marked both the date of the rally and the number of lives lost in the incident.

The protest has grown out of a series of student-led demonstrations that began in December following the disaster.

Many blame the collapse on government corruption and lax safety regulations in the construction industry, with the government’s failure to act seen as a symbol of broader systemic issues. The rally, while peaceful, was marred by sporadic incidents, including clashes between protesters and police.

Saturday’s gathering was a culmination of months of activism, with protesters calling for the resignation of government officials and an end to corruption. "We came for justice. I hope that after this protest, things will change," said Milica Stojanovic, a biology student at the University of Belgrade.

In response to the protests, Vucic had repeatedly warned of potential unrest and the possibility of arrests, accusing Western intelligence services of orchestrating the protests.

However, he provided no evidence to support these claims. Throughout the day, tensions rose as groups of Vucic’s supporters, including members of notorious paramilitary units, set up camp near government buildings, adding to the already charged atmosphere.

Despite these challenges, the students and their supporters remained resolute. "This is not the end, but the beginning of the end," said Dejan Simic, a protester. "This movement is for a more democratic Serbia, where corruption is no longer tolerated."

Police deployed hundreds of officers, and the city's public transport was suspended to prevent more people from reaching the protest.

As protesters gathered, violence erupted in some areas, with a car ramming into a group of demonstrators in the Zarkovo suburb, injuring three people. Additionally, there were reports of attacks on student activists in central Belgrade.

However, the majority of the protesters continued their march to the National Assembly, where they held a moment of silence for the victims of the Novi Sad collapse at exactly 11:52 a.m., the time of the tragedy. Many farmers, veterans, and other supporters joined the rally in solidarity, underscoring the widespread anger across Serbian society.

As the protest unfolded, Vucic continued to stand firm, rejecting calls for a transitional government or early elections. "I am not going to be pressured," he declared in a televised address. "I will not let the streets set the rules in this country." He also warned of a "final" confrontation, suggesting that Saturday’s rally could be a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle between the government and its critics.

The protest on Saturday, while large and significant, is expected to be just one chapter in an ongoing struggle for greater accountability and reform in Serbia.

As the protests continue, the future of the government and Vucic's presidency hangs in the balance, with citizens demanding an end to corruption and a more transparent, democratic system.