Thousands of protesters, mainly students, descended on Serbia's capital on Friday ahead of a planned weekend of massive anti-government rallies, many travelling hundreds of miles on foot or by bike.
President Aleksandar Vucic said he had asked police to show restraint, but to detain troublemakers. "The state ... will do everything to secure peace. Those who endanger peace will be arrested," he told a news conference.
Thousands of people cheered and waved Serbian flags as student columns started entering Belgrade city centre. Hundreds of bikers, parked near the parliament building, revved their engines in support. Cars honked as they drove by.
Supporters, including students from Belgrade, laid out a red carpet for the arriving protesters along the main Terazije boulevard.
"Belgraders, liberators have arrived," said Angelina, 19, a student from the northern city of Zrenjanin.
The rallies are expected to be the biggest in decades. Near daily student protests began in December following the deaths of 15 people when a roof at a railway station collapsed on November 1 in the northern city of Novi Sad, a disaster opponents blame on corruption under Vucic.
Authorities expect anywhere between 60,000 and 80,000 protesters to arrive to the capital, Vucic said. Organisers say they expect many more.
Students, teachers, farmers, and workers have joined the demonstrations in a major challenge to Vucic, a populist, in power for 12 years as prime minister or president.
Throngs of Vucic loyalists have arrived in Belgrade this week to camp near his office in the centre of the city. They brought tractors overnight to surround their camp.
Earlier, outgoing Prime Minister Milos Vucevic said police would intervene in case of violence.
Last December, students issued a set of demands that included the release of documents related to the railway station disaster and accountability for those responsible.
Prosecutors have charged 13 people over the disaster, and the government has announced an anti-corruption campaign. Vucevic and two ministers have also resigned.
Thousands of protesters, mainly students, arrived in Belgrade ahead of major anti-government rallies, warning of possible unrest. The demonstrations, sparked by a deadly railway station collapse, pose a serious challenge to President Vucic, as authorities hint at using force to maintain order.
On International Women's Day, female students in Serbia took the lead in ongoing protests against corruption, with thousands joining a separate student-led rally to challenge the populist government, amid growing public discontent following a deadly incident linked to government negligence.
The European Union has voiced serious concern over recent disruptions and violence in Serbia’s parliament, calling on all stakeholders to engage in an inclusive dialogue.
At least three lawmakers sustained injuries during a chaotic session in Serbia’s parliament on Tuesday, where smoke bombs, flares, eggs, and water bottles were thrown. One lawmaker remains in serious condition, according to officials.
The United States has suspended sanctions for 30 days on Serbian oil company NIS, which is majority-owned by Russian companies and runs the country's only oil refinery, President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday, citing a U.S. Treasury document.
Islamophobia is a form of fear, prejudice, and hatred that incites threats, insults, provocation, and violence against both Muslims and non-Muslims, both online and offline. As it evolves into structural and cultural racism, it targets Muslim symbols and values.
The G7 countries reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. They positively assessed the meeting between the US and Ukraine held on March 11 in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of a ceasefire.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin on a finalised draft peace agreement with Azerbaijan in a phone call with Vladimir Putin. Kremlin said on that Friday conversation was initiated by the Armenian side.
At least five people were killed and 27 injured when a concrete beam from an under-construction expressway bridge collapsed on Rama 2 Road in Thailand. Authorities are searching for missing individuals as investigations into the cause continue.
Germany's election-winning conservative CDU/CSU bloc, led by Friedrich Merz, and the Social Democrats (SPD) have reached an agreement in principle with the Greens on a significant increase in state borrowing ahead of next week’s parliamentary vote.
XPeng Motors plans to mass-produce flying cars by 2026, becoming the first company globally to do so. CEO He Xiaopeng also highlighted advancements in autonomous driving and humanoid robotics as part of the company’s future tech initiatives.
World leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has agreed to, calling it a step toward ending the conflict with Russia.
Regarding the Armenia-Azerbaijan process, we cannot forget the years of occupation, and we will not forget them, President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the 12th Global Baku Forum.
In Tuesday’s closely watched parliamentary election, Greenland’s pro-business opposition Demokraatit party took a commanding lead after over 90% of the ballots were counted.
BioNTech forecasts a revenue decline for 2025, expecting between 1.7 billion and 2.2 billion euros, down from 2.75 billion euros last year. This drop is due to Pfizer write-downs and stable vaccination rates. BioNTech also plans significant job cuts and new hires.
Islamophobia is a form of fear, prejudice, and hatred that incites threats, insults, provocation, and violence against both Muslims and non-Muslims, both online and offline. As it evolves into structural and cultural racism, it targets Muslim symbols and values.
The G7 countries reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. They positively assessed the meeting between the US and Ukraine held on March 11 in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of a ceasefire.
At least five people were killed and 27 injured when a concrete beam from an under-construction expressway bridge collapsed on Rama 2 Road in Thailand. Authorities are searching for missing individuals as investigations into the cause continue.
The United States of America on Friday gave marching orders to the South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool declaring him ‘persona non grata’ - the latin phrase for “unwelcome person”.
Islamophobia is a form of fear, prejudice, and hatred that incites threats, insults, provocation, and violence against both Muslims and non-Muslims, both online and offline. As it evolves into structural and cultural racism, it targets Muslim symbols and values.
The G7 countries reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. They positively assessed the meeting between the US and Ukraine held on March 11 in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of a ceasefire.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin on a finalised draft peace agreement with Azerbaijan in a phone call with Vladimir Putin. Kremlin said on that Friday conversation was initiated by the Armenian side.
At least five people were killed and 27 injured when a concrete beam from an under-construction expressway bridge collapsed on Rama 2 Road in Thailand. Authorities are searching for missing individuals as investigations into the cause continue.
Germany's election-winning conservative CDU/CSU bloc, led by Friedrich Merz, and the Social Democrats (SPD) have reached an agreement in principle with the Greens on a significant increase in state borrowing ahead of next week’s parliamentary vote.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment