Thousands gather at pro-government rally in Serbia

More than 10,000 supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic rallied in Belgrade on Wednesday to show their backing for the populist leader’s policies, following a year of anti-government demonstrations.

Gathering outside parliament, Vucic’s supporters — many of whom arrived in buses arranged by his ruling party — waved Serbian flags and chanted “Vucic, the Serb” and “Serbia” as patriotic music played over loudspeakers.

“You are the ones defending peace, stability, and the constitutional order,” parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic, one of Vucic’s closest allies, told the crowd.

According to Reuters reporters at the scene, the event was the largest pro-government rally of the year, drawing more than 10,000 people.

However, it was smaller than Saturday’s anti-corruption protest, which attracted tens of thousands of students and activists.

The demonstrations were sparked a year ago when the roof of a railway station in Novi Sad collapsed, killing 16 people — a tragedy that provoked widespread anger over alleged corruption and a lack of accountability, particularly as no one has yet been prosecuted.

On Wednesday, police in riot gear cordoned off the area to prevent clashes between Vucic’s supporters and nearby anti-government demonstrators chanting slogans against him.

A pro-government tent camp has occupied the square since March, and tensions flared last week when the two sides confronted each other.

Critics — including students, human rights organisations, academics, and opposition politicians calling for early elections — accuse Vucic’s administration of corruption, attacks on political opponents, curbing press freedom, and links to organised crime. Vucic and his allies reject the accusations.

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