Tens of thousands of demonstrators from across Serbia have gathered in Belgrade for an anti-corruption protest, marking the peak of months-long demonstrations against President Aleksandar Vučić’s administration.
The Serbian capital resonated with the sounds of whistles and vuvuzelas as security measures were tightened ahead of the rally. Protesters carried banners reading “He’s finished!” while others chanted “Pump it!”—a slogan that emerged from four months of student-led protests. The demonstration is being described as potentially the largest anti-government protest in Serbian history.
A protester, Milenko Kovačević, expressed his hopes: “I expect this will shake his authority and make Vučić realize the people have turned their backs on him.”
Tensions and Clashes Amid the Protest
Authorities reported the arrest of a man who drove his car into a crowd of demonstrators, injuring three people.
Ahead of the protest, tensions escalated as Vučić’s supporters set up a camp in front of the Presidential Office. The Serbian leader had previously warned that security forces would use force against demonstrators if necessary.
Public transportation in Belgrade was suspended on Saturday in an apparent attempt to prevent protesters from reaching the city center. Meanwhile, large convoys of cars clogged the roads leading to the capital. Officials claimed the decision was made for “security reasons.”
Vučić, who has dominated Serbian politics since becoming prime minister in 2014 and later president in 2017, remains defiant. “You will have to kill me if you want to remove me,” he declared.
A Protest Fueled by Tragedy and Corruption Allegations
The wave of demonstrations began in November 2024, following a tragic incident in Novi Sad where the roof of a newly renovated railway station collapsed, killing 15 people. Protesters blame systemic corruption, as the station had been inaugurated in 2022 in Vučić’s presence.
Though largely peaceful and leaderless, the protest movement demands accountability for the disaster, government transparency, and an end to widespread corruption. Former Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and Novi Sad’s mayor resigned in January in response to public outcry.
Despite calls for an interim government and new elections, Vučić dismissed the idea, labeling the protests as a “Western conspiracy aimed at destroying Serbia.”
International Concerns Over Serbia’s Stability
The protests have drawn international attention, with European lawmakers warning that Serbia’s response will be a crucial test of its commitment to EU democratic standards. In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, MEPs across party lines urged the EU to ensure Serbia upholds democratic principles before receiving further EU funding.
The country is set to receive €1.5 billion in grants and loans under the EU’s 2024-2027 “Growth Plan.” However, concerns over Vučić’s pro-Russia stance and democratic backsliding have slowed Serbia’s EU accession progress.
Demonstrators have vowed to continue their movement beyond Saturday’s protest. “These are not final steps—these are tectonic shifts. If our demands are not met, we will remain on the streets, in blockades, and in this fight until justice is served,” organizers stated on Instagram.
