Belgrade Post

Чуј одсад наше гласе
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2025

Mass Protests in Belgrade Against Serbian President and Government

Over 100,000 people rally in Serbia’s capital, demanding accountability and reforms amid corruption allegations.
At least 100,000 people gathered in Belgrade on Saturday for a large-scale protest against Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and his administration.

The demonstration, described as one of the largest in Serbia’s recent history, follows months of student-led protests demanding accountability after the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad killed 15 people in November 2024.

The protest, named '15 for 15' in reference to the date and the number of victims, saw participants march into the capital despite a public transport shutdown.

The Serbian government had warned of potential unrest, and authorities deployed hundreds of police officers throughout the city.

Protesters observed 15 minutes of silence to honor the victims before continuing their rally with chants and banners calling for change.

Students have been leading demonstrations for over four months, gaining support from a broad coalition that includes educators, healthcare workers, and legal professionals.

Many protesters attribute the Novi Sad disaster to widespread corruption and mismanagement, demanding government accountability and stricter safety regulations.

Tensions escalated when security forces arrested 13 individuals overnight, including six opposition activists accused of plotting to instigate violence.

Interior Minister Ivica Dačić confirmed the arrests and stated that security measures were in place to prevent disorder.

Additionally, a man was detained after ramming his vehicle into a group of demonstrators, injuring three people.

International journalists from Croatia and Slovenia were denied entry at the Serbian border, with authorities citing security concerns.

Meanwhile, pro-Vučić supporters, including former paramilitary members and football hooligans, set up a camp near government buildings, raising concerns about potential clashes.

President Vučić has rejected calls for a transitional government and has accused Western intelligence agencies of influencing the protests, though he has provided no evidence to support these claims.

Despite his warnings, the protests have remained largely peaceful, continuing to pose a significant challenge to his administration.

The movement, initially focused on seeking justice for the Novi Sad victims, has expanded into a broader call for systemic reforms and greater democratic accountability in Serbia.

Demonstrators have vowed to sustain pressure on the government in the coming weeks.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Serbia’s President Warns Against ‘EuroMaidan-Style’ Uprising Amid Mass Protests
Serbia’s Largest Protest in Decades Challenges President Vučić
Serbia's Authoritarian Regime Deploys Illegal Sonic Weapons Against Peaceful Protesters
European Union Moves Toward Joint Debt for Military Spending
Mass Protests in Belgrade Against Serbian President and Government
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade Following Deadly Train Station Collapse
Massive Protests Erupt in Serbia Against President Vučić Amid Corruption Allegations
Serbian Government Denies Use of 'Sonic Weapon' Amidst Massive Protests
Huge Protests Erupt in Serbia After Fatal Railway Station Collapse
Serbia Witnesses Unprecedented Protests Following Novi Sad Railway Station Collapse
China Introduces the 'Zhulong' C-14 Nuclear Battery, Promising a Remarkable Lifespan of 5,730 Years.
Following the loss of countless Ukrainian lives, the devastation of the country, the collapse of its economy, and the mass exodus of its people, NATO has declared that Ukraine's membership is no longer being contemplated.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Grapples with Political Unrest Following Arrest Warrant Issued for Serb Leader
Trump Speaks on Possible Ukraine Ceasefire Amid Continuing Tensions
Putin Shows Interest in a 30-Day Ceasefire in Ukraine During Ongoing Hostilities.
French Prime Minister Bayrou Declares Position Against US Tariff Threats
EU and Canada Declare Retaliatory Tariffs in Response to U.S. Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
Romania Excludes Top Presidential Contender Călin Georgescu from Election Re-run
Russian Teacher Under Investigation After Explicit Content Incident in Classroom
Poland Plans Comprehensive Military Training for All Adult Males Amid Enhanced Defense Initiatives
Lithuania Withdraws from Cluster Munitions Convention Amid Security Concerns
EU Member States Endorse Gradual Rollout of Entry/Exit System
U.S. Forms Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve, Sparking Market Rally
Zelenskyy Encounters UK Prime Minister Starmer During Strained Relations with the US
DeepSeek Enhances AI Integration in Home Appliances Throughout China
Bosnian Serb Leader Sentenced to One Year in Jail for Defying International Envoy
Trump Announces 25% Tariffs on European Imports, Citing Unfair Trade Practices
The enigma of QR codes found on gravestones in Munich has been unveiled.
Research Explores Possible Connection Between COVID-19 Vaccines and Post-Vaccination Syndrome
German Chancellor Admits Party Loss in National Elections
Zelensky Calls on World Leaders to Advocate for Peace Amid Strains with Trump
University Students in Serbia Mobilize for Coordinated Protests Demanding Accountability
Nationwide Student-Led Protests Erupt in Serbia Following Railway Tragedy
Zelensky Urges European Military Growth in Light of Uncertain US Backing
Zelensky Prevents Trump-Backed Minerals Agreement Due to Security Issues
Steering Through the Updated Hierarchy at the European Commission
Parliamentary Legislator Advocates for Preservation of AI Liability Directive
Mark Rutte Calls on NATO Allies to Increase Defence Expenditure.
Dresden Remembers the 80th Anniversary of the World War II Bombing
Global Community Pledges Support for Syria's Political Transition
EU Allocates €200 Billion for AI Investments, Initiates €20 Billion Fund for Gigafactories
EU Recognizes Its Inability to Address USAID Funding Shortfall While US Aid Remains Frozen
Commission President von der Leyen Missing from Notre Dame Reopening Due to Last-Minute Cancellation
EU Establishes Official Disinformation Code for Online Platforms, Omitting X
EU Lags in Executing Essential Cybersecurity Directives
EU Under Fire for Streamlining Discussions on Corporate Sustainability Reporting
Shein Receives Further Information Request from EU Amid Ongoing Investigation
European Commission Initiates Investigation into Shein as It Aims for Chinese E-Commerce Regulations.
Record High of Journalists Murdered in 2024, As per CPJ Report
US Educator Detained in Russia Freed, Sparking Hopes for Revived US-Russia Communication
×