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Tuesday, Mar 18, 2025
Outside the box.
Mass Protests in Belgrade Against Serbian President and Government
Over 100,000 people rally in Serbia’s capital, demanding accountability and reforms amid corruption allegations.
At least 100,000 people gathered in Belgrade on Saturday for a large-scale protest against Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and his administration.
The demonstration, described as one of the largest in Serbia’s recent history, follows months of student-led protests demanding accountability after the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad killed 15 people in November 2024.
The protest, named '15 for 15' in reference to the date and the number of victims, saw participants march into the capital despite a public transport shutdown.
The Serbian government had warned of potential unrest, and authorities deployed hundreds of police officers throughout the city.
Protesters observed 15 minutes of silence to honor the victims before continuing their rally with chants and banners calling for change.
Students have been leading demonstrations for over four months, gaining support from a broad coalition that includes educators, healthcare workers, and legal professionals.
Many protesters attribute the Novi Sad disaster to widespread corruption and mismanagement, demanding government accountability and stricter safety regulations.
Tensions escalated when security forces arrested 13 individuals overnight, including six opposition activists accused of plotting to instigate violence.
Interior Minister Ivica Dačić confirmed the arrests and stated that security measures were in place to prevent disorder.
Additionally, a man was detained after ramming his vehicle into a group of demonstrators, injuring three people.
International journalists from Croatia and Slovenia were denied entry at the Serbian border, with authorities citing security concerns.
Meanwhile, pro-Vučić supporters, including former paramilitary members and football hooligans, set up a camp near government buildings, raising concerns about potential clashes.
President Vučić has rejected calls for a transitional government and has accused Western intelligence agencies of influencing the protests, though he has provided no evidence to support these claims.
Despite his warnings, the protests have remained largely peaceful, continuing to pose a significant challenge to his administration.
The movement, initially focused on seeking justice for the Novi Sad victims, has expanded into a broader call for systemic reforms and greater democratic accountability in Serbia.
Demonstrators have vowed to sustain pressure on the government in the coming weeks.
The demonstration, described as one of the largest in Serbia’s recent history, follows months of student-led protests demanding accountability after the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad killed 15 people in November 2024.
The protest, named '15 for 15' in reference to the date and the number of victims, saw participants march into the capital despite a public transport shutdown.
The Serbian government had warned of potential unrest, and authorities deployed hundreds of police officers throughout the city.
Protesters observed 15 minutes of silence to honor the victims before continuing their rally with chants and banners calling for change.
Students have been leading demonstrations for over four months, gaining support from a broad coalition that includes educators, healthcare workers, and legal professionals.
Many protesters attribute the Novi Sad disaster to widespread corruption and mismanagement, demanding government accountability and stricter safety regulations.
Tensions escalated when security forces arrested 13 individuals overnight, including six opposition activists accused of plotting to instigate violence.
Interior Minister Ivica Dačić confirmed the arrests and stated that security measures were in place to prevent disorder.
Additionally, a man was detained after ramming his vehicle into a group of demonstrators, injuring three people.
International journalists from Croatia and Slovenia were denied entry at the Serbian border, with authorities citing security concerns.
Meanwhile, pro-Vučić supporters, including former paramilitary members and football hooligans, set up a camp near government buildings, raising concerns about potential clashes.
President Vučić has rejected calls for a transitional government and has accused Western intelligence agencies of influencing the protests, though he has provided no evidence to support these claims.
Despite his warnings, the protests have remained largely peaceful, continuing to pose a significant challenge to his administration.
The movement, initially focused on seeking justice for the Novi Sad victims, has expanded into a broader call for systemic reforms and greater democratic accountability in Serbia.
Demonstrators have vowed to sustain pressure on the government in the coming weeks.
