In Belgrade, around 140,000 protesters rallied against President Vucic, marking the largest protest in recent months amid accusations of corruption and a desire for early elections.**
Tensions Rise in Belgrade as Large Scale Protests Demand Change**
Tensions Rise in Belgrade as Large Scale Protests Demand Change**
Clashes erupt between Serbian police and anti-government demonstrators as calls for early elections intensify.**
Serbian police clashed with a massive crowd of anti-government demonstrators in Belgrade, demanding an end to President Aleksandar Vucic's decade-long leadership. The protest, attracting around 140,000 participants on Saturday, showcased rising discontent towards the government, driven predominantly by student activism. Chants of "We want elections!" echoed throughout the city, signifying a unified call for change.
The unrest resulted in several arrests, with riot police employing tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the demonstrators. President Vucic responded by labeling the protesters as part of a foreign conspiracy aimed at destabilizing Serbia, claiming, "They wanted to topple Serbia, and they have failed," via his Instagram account.
The atmosphere intensified when authorities detained five individuals on Friday, accusing them of plotting an insurrection. The police minister condemned the acts of violence attributed to protesters, vowing that the culprits would face justice. Vucic's administration, already fraught with protests and university closures, faced intensified pressure from citizens after a tragic incident last November that resulted in the collapse of a railway station roof, killing 16.
Among the demonstrators was Sladjana Lojanovic, a farmer from Sid, who indicated widespread disillusionment with government corruption and governance. "Elections are the solution, but I don't think he (Vucic) will want to go peacefully," she said, reflecting the sentiments of many who doubt the president's willingness to concede to the rising demands for democratic reforms.
The President's Progressive Party controls a majority in the parliament, holding 156 out of 250 seats, and has shown reluctance towards calls for snap elections. Opponents accuse him of association with organized crime and curtailing media freedoms, charges that his administration has firmly denied.
Vucic has maintained tight ties with Russia, further complicating Serbia's ambitions of joining the European Union while rebuffing Western sanctions against Moscow for its actions in Ukraine. As protests by students and various professional groups began last December after the railway tragedy, the narrative of governmental negligence continues to spur dissent among the populace.
As the crowds dispersed on Saturday, organizers urged citizens to "take freedom into your own hands," asserting responsibility for the situation rests with the authorities for their inaction. In a bold closing statement, they emphasized the ongoing struggle for accountability and democratic integrity in Serbia.
