Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on Saturday evening, voicing strong opposition to President Aleksandar Vučić and calling for early elections and political reform, according to DW Österreich.
The protest, organized by student groups, drew participants from across the country. While police estimated the crowd at over 34,000, independent observers placed the number closer to 100,000, reflecting the scale of public anger.
Demonstrators filled the city center with drums, whistles, and chants. Many wore badges marked with red handprints and the message “Your hands are bloody,” a symbol of protest against corruption and government failures.
Speakers at the rally demanded an end to Vučić’s leadership, which began in 2017, and urged authorities to hold elections before the scheduled date in 2027. One student speaker described the vote as a chance to restore honesty, freedom, and dignity in public life.
Tensions rose later in the evening when clashes broke out between masked individuals and security forces about a kilometer away from the main protest site. Trash bins were set on fire, and fireworks were thrown at police. In response, officers used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowd. Authorities reported 23 arrests and said several officers were injured.
The protests are part of a wider movement that began around 18 months ago, after a deadly accident in Novi Sad in November 2024, when a railway station canopy collapsed, killing 16 people. The incident triggered widespread outrage and renewed concerns over corruption and public safety.
President Vučić, responding on social media, accused protesters of showing violent behavior. However, similar past protests have later been linked to provocateurs rather than peaceful demonstrators.
Before the rally, train services across Serbia were suddenly suspended without explanation, a move widely seen as an attempt to limit turnout.
Meanwhile, Vučić arrived in Beijing on Sunday for an official visit, where he is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. Serbia continues to maintain strong economic and political ties with China.
