Belgrade: Belgrade witnessed a massive anti-corruption protest over the weekend, with tens of thousands gathering in the Serbian capital in what demonstrators described as a “joyful prelude” to political change. The protest, largely led by university students, saw people from across the country arriving in the city, waving flags and chanting slogans.
The demonstration marks the peak of months-long nationwide protests against corruption, posing the most significant challenge to President Aleksandar Vučić’s decade-long rule. In response, Vučić has claimed that the rally could turn violent and warned of arrests if there were any disturbances.
The Serbian president has also accused Western intelligence agencies of orchestrating the protests to remove him from power. “I will not yield to blackmail or pressure,” Vučić declared. “I am the president of Serbia, and I will not allow the streets to dictate the rules.”
The movement gained momentum following a tragic incident more than four months ago when a collapsed train station canopy in northern Serbia killed 15 people. This event ignited public outrage and led students to the forefront of the anti-corruption fight.
Ahead of the protest, authorities arrested six opposition activists, accusing them of “preparing actions against the constitutional order and security.” The arrests followed the airing of an alleged recording of their meeting on pro-government TV channels. Vučić vowed that Serbia’s government would ensure peace and warned that any disruption would be met with strict penalties.
While past student-led protests in various Serbian cities have remained peaceful, tensions in Belgrade have escalated. Supporters of Vučić, including former paramilitary members, set up camp near the presidency building, even parking tractors around their site. Authorities also took precautionary measures by locking the parliament building for three days and suspending railway services and several bus routes to the capital.
As tensions rise, the European Union’s mission in Serbia has called for restraint. “Freedom of assembly is a fundamental right,” the EU stated, emphasizing the importance of ensuring safety and avoiding violence.
Serbia, which is officially pursuing EU membership, has faced criticism for democratic backsliding, with Vučić’s government accused of restricting freedoms while strengthening ties with Russia and China.
