At least three intervention units, one Gendarmerie detachment, members of Serbia’s Intelligence Agency (BIA) and Kobre, and groups of pro-regime enforcers were deployed to secure President Aleksandar Vučić’s visit to a local Čačak TV station, known as the “small Informer.” Residents reported receiving calls from someone claiming to be police, urging them to ensure their gathering remained peaceful. The events in Čačak highlighted the long list of Serbian cities where Vučić and the ruling SNS party have become persona non grata.
Hundreds of citizens gathered in the city center after learning of Vučić’s visit, expressing that he was “not welcome.” The president appeared on TV Lav, but the security measures and strong presence of authorities prevented any major incidents, aside from a few eggs thrown and chants directed at him.
Local activist Slavica Petrovska confirmed that the police had called several residents prior to the protest, advising them to keep the assembly peaceful. She noted that neither she nor other attendees intended to provoke violence, but wanted to directly address issues like local governance and alleged criminal activities.
OzonPress reported that Vučić was accompanied by intervention units from Čačak, Gornji Milanovac, and Užice, as well as Gendarmerie from Kraljevo, BIA and Kobre operatives, and groups organized by former handball player Vlada Mandić, now active in SNS operations.
Petrovska emphasized that the calls from “police” were unusual, and students who attended are considering filing a complaint to verify who actually contacted them. Despite the heavy security and presence of unknown individuals, protesters remained nonviolent, seeking to confront the president directly and hold him accountable.
Events in Čačak underscore Vučić’s growing unpopularity across Serbia. According to law professor Bojan Pajtić from Novi Sad, Vučić has become persona non grata in many cities, including Novi Sad, Niš, Kraljevo, Užice, and several others. Pajtić stated that citizens are increasingly frustrated with the president, citing repression, corruption, and mismanagement, and are eager to see accountability for him and the SNS leadership.
The Čačak incident reflects a broader trend: Vučić avoids public appearances in cities where opposition is strong, traveling under heavy security, often at night, illustrating the regime’s weakening legitimacy.
