Parallel rallies by supporters and opponents of Serbia’s ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) took place across multiple cities on Sunday, escalating tensions between the two sides.
In Belgrade, police clashed with citizens gathered near the headquarters of state broadcaster RTS during an anti-government protest. At the same time, SNS supporters held their own rally in front of RTS, demanding that the public broadcaster provide “truthful, comprehensive, and responsible reporting.”
Clashes and Heavy Police Presence
In Bogatić, violent clashes broke out between rival groups, with stones thrown and explosives heard, according to reports. Riot police and war veterans intervened to separate the crowds.
In Valjevo, police formed cordons to keep the groups apart, while in Novi Sad, security forces blocked demonstrators from approaching SNS gatherings. Police also sealed off two bridges leading to Klisa, one of the three planned rally sites on the city’s outskirts.
Background of Protests
SNS supporters say their mobilization is a response to ongoing anti-government protests demanding accountability for the death of 16 people when a newly reconstructed roof collapsed at Novi Sad’s railway station in November 2024.
Opposition groups, led largely by students who have blocked universities across the country for nearly a year, accuse the government of corruption and negligence, while also demanding snap elections.
Government allies, including ministers and local officials, frequently attend the pro-SNS rallies. According to the Center for Social Stability, a pro-government organization from Novi Sad, over 200 such gatherings were planned nationwide this weekend.
