Serbian police found themselves in violent clashes with a substantial crowd of anti-government demonstrators on Saturday, as around 140,000 protesters rallied in Belgrade demanding early elections and an end to President Aleksandar Vucic's lengthy rule that has lasted over a decade. This marked the largest protest turnout in months, with chants echoing throughout the crowds: "We want elections!"
The confrontation escalated as riot police deployed tear gas and stun grenades against the protesters, resulting in dozens of arrests. President Vucic responded by claiming the protesters were part of a foreign scheme aimed at destabilizing Serbia, asserting in an Instagram post, "They wanted to topple Serbia, and they have failed." Additionally, the Higher Court in Belgrade reported that five individuals were arrested the day before, accused of plotting against the government.
Following the incidents, the Serbian police minister expressed strong condemnation of the violence, promising that those responsible would face legal action. Over the past months, widespread protests, including student-led demonstrations and strikes, have put Vucic's government under increasing pressure—particularly notable after the tragic collapse of a railway station roof that resulted in 16 deaths in November.
Sladjana Lojanovic, a 37-year-old farmer from Sid, expressed solidarity with the students during the rallies. "The institutions have been usurped, and... there is a lot of corruption. Elections are the solution, but I don't think he (Vucic) will want to go peacefully," she noted.
Despite intense calls for snap elections, Vucic has so far firmed his stance against this demand, with his Progressive Party holding a significant majority in the parliament—156 out of 250 seats.
Critics of the president accuse him of corruption, association with organized crime, and attacking media freedom—claims that his administration denies. His government has maintained close ties with Russia even as Serbia pursues European Union membership, abstaining from sanctions against Moscow related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
In a directive to the protesters at the end of Saturday's event, organizers urged participants to "take freedom into your own hands," blaming the authorities for opting for violence instead of addressing the demands raised by the public. "Any radicalization of the situation is their responsibility," the organizers stated via Instagram.
