The offices of Serbia’s ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) were set ablaze during a fifth consecutive night of protests, echoing a growing wave of unrest across the nation. Tensions flared in Valjevo where reports indicated that riot police deployed stun grenades and tear gas to control crowds after individuals, masked and emboldened, targeted the SNS facilities.
This turmoil stems from escalating grievances against President Aleksandar Vučić's government, particularly following the November collapse of a railway station in Novi Sad that left 16 people dead. Many citizens blame systemic corruption and negligence under Vučić’s administration for this tragedy, leading to widespread protest movements that had been largely peaceful until recent developments.
Counter-demonstrations led by pro-government supporters have intensified the situation, with further riot police presence noted in cities such as Belgrade and Novi Sad. Protestors are demanding early elections, focused on tangible accountability from the government. Anti-government demonstrations have increasingly gained momentum, attracting hundreds of thousands of participants during their peak.
Reports of police violence have surfaced, including a disturbing video allegedly showing police beating a protestor in Valjevo, prompting concerns about the serious misuse of force. Michael O'Flaherty, the Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe, has implored Serbian authorities to cease arbitrary arrests and strive for de-escalation amidst rising tensions.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Vučić brandished social media to denounce the turmoil, asserting that violence signifies weakness and pledging punishment for aggressors. He characterizes the protests as part of a conspiracy fueled by foreign entities intending to initiate his downfall while rejecting calls for early elections.
Supporting Vučić, Russia's Foreign Ministry has voiced solidarity, asserting the need to take action against violence and expressing concern for public security. The recent upheaval is emblematic of longstanding frustrations regarding corruption in Serbia, with the railway disaster acting as a catalyst for calls to dismantle an established regime that has held power for over a decade.
