Protests in Niš turned violent on Friday evening, resulting in the cancellation of a scheduled rally by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s Progressive Party (SNS). A large group of protesters gathered in the city center, where an SNS event with party leaders, including Vučić, was planned. Protesters threw eggs and stones at the party officials, including Niš Mayor Dragoslav Pavlović, who was hit with both eggs and an unidentified liquid. A video of the incident circulated on social media, showing the chaos unfold.
Another video revealed that Milorad Jerkan, the Director of Niš’s Health House, faced a similar attack. Following the incident, students announced that one of their peers, Mateja Nikolić, was arrested near the Niš Police Directorate. Opposition deputies Jelena Milloshević and Ana Eraković also gathered outside the police station in support of the students.
Vučić later commented on the violence, admitting that the police had “done a very poor job” in responding to the unrest. He criticized the authorities for their failure to act decisively and for not responding more forcefully to similar incidents in places like Bogatić. Vučić took responsibility for the lack of a stronger police reaction, explaining that he had wanted to foster national unity and respect differing opinions. However, he expressed frustration over the recent wave of violent protests, accusing some protesters of targeting women and other vulnerable individuals.
“I am guilty because I wanted national unity and to respect differing opinions,” Vučić said. “But last night, they chased women in Niš with stones and eggs. I’m grateful that the mayor, Dragoslav Pavlović, withstood their attacks. These actions are carried out by the worst in Serbia—those who do not consider Kosovo and Metohija part of Serbia, who believe the Republic of Srpska is a genocidal creation, and who want the worst for our country.”
The president warned that the state would take more stringent measures in the future, emphasizing that either stronger responses would come from the state organs, or the government would expose those unwilling to enforce the law. He stated, “We can no longer tolerate bullying.”
Vučić also expressed concern about foreign influence, alleging that foreign actors had destabilized the country with “dirty money,” organizing criminally driven student protests and fueling acts of violence across Serbia.
