Central Belgrade witnessed violent confrontations on Saturday as police deployed tear gas during clashes with large crowds of protesters demanding snap elections and an end to the long-standing rule of Serbia’s populist President Aleksandar Vucic.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators filled Slavija Square, a major intersection in the capital, reigniting a protest movement that began 18 months earlier following a fatal roof collapse. That incident sparked widespread anger and evolved into a broader youth-driven campaign accusing authorities of corruption and poor governance.
Security forces in riot gear sealed off the area around Belgrade City Hall, located roughly one kilometer from the main gathering point. Tensions escalated as sporadic confrontations broke out near the presidential complex and outside a park where supporters of Vucic have maintained a camp since March last year.
Police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowd, pushing protesters further along nearby streets, while some demonstrators set fire to rubbish-filled bins during the unrest.
According to Interior Minister Ivica Dacic, 23 individuals were detained during the disturbances, as reported by the Tanjug news agency. He also noted that several police officers sustained injuries, though he did not specify the number affected or the severity of their conditions.
Amid the demonstrations, many participants wore badges featuring a red hand and the slogan, “Your hands are bloody,” alongside banners proclaiming, “The students are winning.”
The anti-government movement initially emerged after the collapse of an awning at a railway station in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024. Protesters, opposition figures, and human rights groups argue the tragedy reflects deeper systemic mismanagement. However, President Vucic and his allies have rejected allegations of corruption and repression, insisting that authorities have acted against those responsible for the incident.
Prior to the clashes, Mirjana Nikolic, rector of the University of Arts in Belgrade, addressed the crowd, stating: “This government is … afraid of those who are defending their dignity and their rights.”
Police estimated the turnout at approximately 34,300 people across the square and surrounding streets, while the Archive of Public Gatherings, an independent monitoring group, placed attendance closer to 100,000.
Among the demonstrators was Dragan Djuric, a 55-year-old farmer from Sabac, who said: “I came here to show how many of us there are, how many unhappy citizens there are and that it is a high time to organize election to make things better,” reflecting the broader call for political change driving the protests.
