Serbia’s students, opposition rally to demand snap elections
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Serbian protesters rally in Belgrade to demand snap election
Protesters are calling for an end to the 12-year rule of Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic. They have been demonstrating since a building collapse in Novi Sad killed 16 people. Vukic has refused to step down, saying he wants to see the country’s future. He has been accused of corruption and of curbing press freedom. The protests are the latest in a series of demonstrations against the government. The first of the protests took place in November, when a fire broke out at a construction site in the city.
Tens of thousands of anticorruption protesters have taken to the streets of Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, demanding an early election in a bid to end the 12-year rule of President Aleksandar Vucic.
Large numbers of officers in riot gear were deployed to police Saturday’s protests, which were organised by Serbia’s university students.
The students were a driving force behind nationwide demonstrations that started nearly eight months ago after the deadly collapse of a renovated concrete rail station roof in the northern city of Novi Sad killed 16 people.
The tragedy last November became a flashpoint for frustrations with the government, with many Serbians saying that it had been caused by alleged corruption and negligence in state infrastructure projects.
Under pressure, Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned at the start of this year, but Vucic remains in power.
Serbia’s railway company halted train service over an alleged bomb threat in what critics said was an apparent bid to prevent people from travelling to Belgrade for the rally.
Hours before the rally at Slavija Square and Nemanjina Avenue, Vucic’s party sent in buses of its own supporters from other parts of the country, many wearing T-shirts reading: “We won’t give up Serbia”.
They were joining loyalists who have been camping near Vucic’s office in central Belgrade since mid-March.
Vucic, a populist whose Progressive Party-led coalition holds 156 of 250 parliamentary seats, told reporters on Saturday that unspecified “foreign powers” were behind the protest. He said police should be restrained, but warned that “thugs will face justice”.
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Vucic has previously refused snap elections and has been intent on continuing his second term, which ends in 2027, when there are also parliamentary elections scheduled.
But his hold on power has been rattled, with opponents accusing him and allies of ties to organised crime, violence against rivals and curbing media freedoms – charges they deny.
Earlier this week, police arrested several people accused of allegedly plotting to overthrow the government and banned entry into the country, without explanation, to several people from Croatia and a theatre director from Montenegro.
Serbian protesters deliver early election ‘ultimatum’
Protesters are expected to gather in the tens of thousands in the capital Belgrade on June 28. They have issued an “ultimatum” for the government to call early elections after months of student-led strikes. Anti-graft protests have rocked the Balkan nation since November when a train station roof collapse in the northern city of Novi Sad killed 16 people. President Aleksandar Vucic responded on June 27, again rejecting the students’ demands for immediate elections, having previously stated that a national poll would not be held before the end of 2026. More than a dozen people have been arrested in recent weeks, a crackdown that has now become a routine government reaction ahead of large demonstrations. In the latest arrests, five people were charged and held for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government.
BELGRADE – Serbian protesters are expected to gather in the tens of thousands in the capital Belgrade on June 28, issuing an “ultimatum” for the government to call early elections after months of student-led strikes.
Anti-graft protests have rocked the Balkan nation since November when a train station roof collapse in the northern city of Novi Sad killed 16 people – a tragedy widely blamed on entrenched corruption.
For more than half a year, students have blockaded universities and organised large demonstrations around the country, demanding a transparent investigation into the deaths.
With little action from the authorities, their focus shifted in May to calls for early parliamentary elections.
Ahead of June 28’s protest, students issued the “ultimatum” to President Aleksandar Vucic, with a deadline of 9pm (3am on June 29 in Singapore), three hours after the protest is set to begin in one of Belgrade’s main squares.
Mr Vucic responded on June 27, again rejecting the students’ demands for immediate elections, having previously stated that a national poll would not be held before the end of 2026.
“The ultimatum was not accepted, you don’t have to wait until 9pm tomorrow,” he told state television station RTS.
‘Foreign powers’
The outcry over the Novi Sad tragedy has already toppled the country’s prime minister, but the ruling party remains in power – with a reshuffled government and the president at its heart.
Mr Vucic has repeatedly accused the protests, which have remained peaceful throughout, of being part of a foreign plot to destroy his government.
“The foreign powers sent an ultimatum through local henchmen,” Mr Vucic said after attending a mass in the central Serbian city of Krusevac on June 27.
“People should not be afraid, only those who plan violence should be afraid.”
More than a dozen people have been arrested in recent weeks, a crackdown that has now become a routine government reaction ahead of large demonstrations.
In the latest arrests on June 27, five people were charged and held for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government, according to a statement from Serbia’s Higher Court in Belgrade.
‘Radicalisation’
Students have also called for the removal of pro-government encampments outside parliament, which have been blocking a park and a major intersection in the city centre for months.
Protesters warned of “radicalisation” of the movement if their demands were not met.
The police urged protesters to remain peaceful.
“Any attempt to attack the police, to storm any state institution, media outlet, or private property will not be tolerated by the Serbian police,” police director Dragan Vasiljevic said in a statement.
Initial plans by Mr Vucic’s ruling party to host a counter-rally were scrapped, though party officials said they might visit their supporters’ camps.
June 28’s rally is expected to be the largest since March when 300,000 people gathered in Belgrade, according to an independent counting organisation.
Earlier in June, local polls in two municipalities marked the first electoral clash between an opposition coalition and the Serbian Progressive Party, led by Mr Vucic.
The ruling party secured a narrow victory amid accusations of voter bribery and electoral interference – similar to those following its win in the December 2023 parliamentary elections.
As before, Mr Vucic dismissed allegations of fraud. AFP
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Tens of thousands rally in Serbia’s capital to demand snap elections
Thousands gathered in Belgrade ahead of an ‘ultimatum’ for President Aleksandar Vucic to call early elections. Serbians have been taking to the streets to denonce rampant corruption in the government since last November. The roof of a train station collapsed in the northern city of Novi Sad, killing 16 people.
Tens of thousands of students and anti-corruption protesters gathered in Belgrade on Saturday, issuing an “ultimatum” for President Aleksandar Vucic to call for early elections by 9 pm (1900 GMT). Serbians have been taking to the streets to denonce rampant corruption in the government since last November, when the roof of a train station collapsed in the northern city of Novi Sad, killing 16 people.
Tens of thousands of Serbian protesters converged on Belgrade on Saturday to press their demand for early elections after months of student-led strikes.
As the hours-long rally began, massive crowds were building, with more streaming into a major square of the capital, according to AFP journalists.
Carrying Serbian flags and banners, many emblazoned with the names of cities and towns throughout the Balkan nation, the protest began with a rendition of the national anthem.
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“We are not the problem, we are the consequence,” one banner read.
Read moreWhy has the EU kept silent on Serbia’s massive protest movement?
For more than half a year, students have blockaded universities and organised large demonstrations around the country, demanding a transparent investigation into the deaths.
Police urged protesters to remain peaceful.
Read more on FRANCE 24 English
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Huge crowds build as Serbian protesters demand early elections
Thousands gathered in Belgrade ahead of an ‘ultimatum’ for President Aleksandar Vucic to call early elections. Anti-graft protests have rocked the country since November, when the roof of a train station collapsed in the northern city of Novi Sad, killing 16 people. Students have blockaded universities and organised large demonstrations around the country, demanding a transparent investigation into the deaths. Five people were remanded in custody on Friday for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government, according to a statement from Serbia’s Higher Court inBelgrade. The president has repeatedly accused the protests, which have remained peaceful throughout, of being part of a foreign plot to destroy his government. He warned Saturday that “there will be violence” toward the end of the student protest, adding: “The ultimatum was not accepted, you don’t have to wait until 9 pm tomorrow”
Mina PEJAKOVIC, Ognjen ZORIC
Tens of thousands of Serbian protesters converged on Belgrade on Saturday to press their demand for early elections after months of student-led strikes.
As the hours-long rally began, massive crowds were building, with more streaming into a major square of the capital, according to AFP journalists.
Carrying Serbian flags and banners, many emblazoned with the names of cities and towns throughout the Balkan nation, the protest began with a rendition of the national anthem.
“We are not the problem, we are the consequence,” one banner read.
Anti-graft protests have rocked the country since November, when the roof of a train station collapsed in the northern city of Novi Sad, killing 16 people — a tragedy widely blamed on entrenched corruption.
For more than half a year, students have blockaded universities and organised large demonstrations around the country, demanding a transparent investigation into the deaths.
With little action from authorities, their focus shifted last month to calling for early parliamentary elections.
The student organisers have set an “ultimatum” for President Aleksandar Vucic to call for early elections by 9 pm (1900 GMT) Saturday.
Vucic had already rejected on Friday the students’ demand, having previously stated that a national election would not be held before the end of 2026.
“The ultimatum was not accepted, you don’t have to wait until 9 pm tomorrow,” Vucic said, according to RTS state television.
-‘Foreign powers’-
Nearby, thousands of Vucic supporters were also rallying in a counter-demonstration outside the parliament building.
Joining the pro-government encampments that have blocked a main intersection in the city for months, the crowd was marked with bikers and war veterans.
The outcry over the Novi Sad disaster has already toppled the country’s prime minister, but the governing party remains in power — with a reshuffled government and the president at its heart.
Vucic has repeatedly accused the protests, which have remained peaceful throughout, of being part of a foreign plot to destroy his government.
“The foreign powers sent an ultimatum through local henchmen,” Vucic said after attending a mass in the central Serbian city of Krusevac on Friday.
Fuelling fears of confrontations between the two large groups, Vucic warned Saturday that “there will be violence” toward the end of the student protest.
More than a dozen people have been arrested in recent weeks, a crackdown that has now become a routine government reaction ahead of large demonstrations.
On Friday, five people were remanded in custody for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government, according to a statement from Serbia’s Higher Court in Belgrade.
-‘Radicalisation’-
Students have also called for the removal of the pro-government encampments, while warning of “radicalisation” of the movement if their demands were not met.
Police urged protesters to remain peaceful.
“Any attempt to attack the police, to storm any state institution, media outlet, or private property will not be tolerated by the Serbian police,” police director Dragan Vasiljevic said in a statement.
Initial plans by Vucic’s party to host a counter-rally were scrapped, though party officials said they might visit their supporters’ camps.
Saturday’s rally is expected to be the largest since March, when 300,000 people gathered in Belgrade, according to an independent counting organisation.
Earlier this month, local polls in two municipalities marked the first electoral clash between an opposition coalition and Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party.
The governing party secured a narrow victory amid accusations of voter bribery and electoral interference — similar to those following its win in the December 2023 parliamentary elections.
As before, Vucic denied allegations of fraud.
Serbia’s students, opposition rally to demand snap elections
Tens of thousands of students and anti-corruption protesters rallied in Belgrade on June 28. They are demanding snap elections and an end to the 12-year rule of President Aleksandar Vucic. Police deployed scores of officers in riot gear around government buildings, Parliament and nearby Pionirski Park, where throngs of his backers gathered in a counter-protest. The student protest is set to last until 9pm (3am on June 29 in Singapore) at Slavija Square and Nemanjina Avenue, where most of the government offices are located.
BELGRADE – Tens of thousands of students and anti-corruption protesters rallied in Belgrade on June 28, demanding snap elections and an end to the 12-year rule of President Aleksandar Vucic.
Police deployed scores of officers in riot gear around government buildings, Parliament and nearby Pionirski Park, where throngs of Mr Vucic’s backers from across the country gathered in a counter-protest.
Months of protests across the country, including university shutdowns, have rattled Mr Vucic, a populist, whose second term ends in 2027, when there are also parliamentary elections scheduled.
Mr Vucic’s opponents accuse him and his allies of ties to organised crime, violence against rivals and curbing media freedoms, something they deny.
The student protest is set to last until 9pm (3am on June 29 in Singapore) at Slavija Square and Nemanjina Avenue, where most of the government offices are located.
The protesters, who want the government to heed their demands by the end of the protest, have pledged non-violence.
Mr Vucic has previously refused snap elections. His Progressive Party-led coalition holds 156 of 250 parliamentary seats.
On June 28, Mr Vucic said unspecified “foreign powers” were behind the protest. He said police should be restrained, but warned that violence will not be tolerated.
“The country will be defended, and thugs will face justice,” he told reporters in Belgrade.
Ms Sladjana Lojanovic, 37, a farmer from the town of Sid in the north, said she came to support students.
“The institutions have been usurped and… there is a lot of corruption. Elections are the solution, but I don’t think he (Mr Vucic) will want to go peacefully,” she told Reuters.
In the days ahead of the protest, police arrested about a dozen anti-government activists, charging them with undermining the constitution and terrorism. All denied the charges.
Protests by students, opposition, teachers, workers and farmers began in December 2024 after 16 people died on Nov 1 in a Novi Sad railway station roof collapse.
Protesters blame corruption for the disaster.
The Belgrade rally coincides with St Vitus Day, venerated by most Serbs, which marks the 1389 Battle of Kosovo with Ottoman Turks. REUTERS
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