Riot police deployed tear gas against thousands of anti-government protesters in Serbia’s capital on Saturday reported by CNN. The major Belgrade rally, demanding early parliamentary elections, followed nearly eight months of persistent, student-led demonstrations against populist President Aleksandar Vucic.
Chanting “We want elections!”, the protest was fueled by anger over corruption, notably after a rail station canopy collapse killed 16 people in November. Tensions were high, with skirmishes erupting between police and protesters near government loyalist camps. Protesters declared the current authorities “illegitimate.”
Vucic and his ruling party have consistently refused early elections, accusing protesters of foreign-instigated violence and cracking down on universities and independent media. Despite recent dwindling numbers, Saturday’s large turnout, estimated by police at 36,000, underscored persistent resolve.
The protest coincided with St. Vitus Day, a symbolically important religious holiday. Hours before, Vucic’s party bused in its own supporters. Authorities recently arrested alleged plotters, banned foreign nationals, and halted train services, actions critics viewed as attempts to disrupt the rally. Vucic, a former extreme nationalist, has become increasingly authoritarian over his decade in power, stifling democratic freedoms while strengthening ties with Russia and China, despite nominal EU aspirations. Presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for 2027.
About the Author
