Key Reasons for Protest
- The rally marks the culmination of months of protests following a station roof collapse in Novi Sad that killed 14 people, which many blame on rampant corruption.
- Between 275,000 and 325,000 people participated according to monitoring organizations, making it likely the biggest demonstration ever held in the Balkan country.
- Protesters carried banners reading “He’s finished!” and chanted “Pump it up,” a slogan adopted during four months of student-led protests.
Protest Demands
- Demonstrators are demanding accountability for the Novi Sad disaster, which occurred at a station President Vučić had inaugurated in 2022 after renovations.
- The leaderless movement is calling for transparent institutions based on the rule of law and root-and-branch reform.
- Protester Milenko Kovačević expressed hope that “this will shake his authority and that Vučić will realise that people are no longer for him.”
Government Response
- President Vučić, who has dominated Serbian politics since 2014, warned security forces would use force against protesters and declared: “You will have to kill me if you want to replace me.”
- Authorities canceled Belgrade city transport “for security reasons,” in an apparent effort to prevent people from attending.
- Tensions increased when the president’s supporters began setting up a camp in front of the presidential palace, with opposition leaders claiming Vučić “has mobilised criminals, thugs and Red Beret members.”
The ongoing demonstrations in Serbia represent a critical moment for the country’s political scene, highlighting not only the challenges faced by the current administration but also the role of anti-corruption activism. Foreign observers, including European Parliament members, have expressed concerns about violence against demonstrators, noting that “Serbia’s response to these protests will be a decisive test of its commitment to EU standards.” Organizers have vowed the protests will continue, stating: “We are making tectonic changes. If our demands are not met, we will remain on the streets.”