Tens of thousands of protesters filled the streets of Belgrade on Saturday, demanding snap elections and an end to President Aleksandar Vucic’s 12-year rule.
Belgrade witnessed a massive anti-government demonstration on Saturday, with students and anti-corruption activists leading calls for early elections and political reform. The protest, one of the largest in years, posed a growing challenge to President Aleksandar Vucic.
Police in riot gear surrounded government buildings and parliament as thousands of Vucic supporters staged a counter-protest nearby in Pionirski Park. The government loyalists included war veterans and bikers who have maintained street blockades in the capital for months.
Demonstrators waved Serbian flags, carried banners naming their hometowns, and sang the national anthem before speeches began.
"We hope for real change after decades of struggle," said Ljiljana Ilic from Valjevo.
Nikola Vukovic from Belgrade said the goal was clear. "We want to change Serbia and bring this government to an end. The next fight will be at the ballot box," he said.
Milica Ivanovic from Lajkovac expressed full support for the student movement. "We are here with strength and courage, standing with them in our hearts," she said.
The protests remained peaceful, with participants stressing non-violence. However, President Vucic warned of possible violence later in the day. Recent weeks have seen more than a dozen arrests as part of what critics call an ongoing crackdown on dissent.
Student organizers had issued an ultimatum, demanding that Vucic call early elections by 9 p.m. on Saturday. The president firmly rejected the call, telling state television on Friday that there would be no elections before 2026.
The unrest began in November following a deadly train station collapse in Novi Sad that killed 16 people. The incident, blamed on government corruption and neglect, sparked nationwide outrage.
After months of university blockades and street protests, demonstrators shifted their demands to broader political reforms and snap parliamentary elections.
Vucic continues to accuse the opposition of serving foreign interests and attempting to destabilize the country.
As night fell, thousands remained on the streets, chanting and waving flags, vowing to keep up the pressure.
A 77-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman were killed on Monday (4 May), after a man drove a car into a crowd on...
At a time when geopolitical tensions continue to ripple across multiple regions, from Ukraine to the Middle East, ...
Iran warned Armerican forces on Monday (4 May) not to enter the Strait of Hormuz, after the U.S. said it...
Austria has expelled three diplomats from the Russian Embassy over concerns that satellite installations on diplomatic buildings could be used for ...
Recent developments across the Middle East show political messaging is moving beyond traditional channels, with public art and AI-generated content...
Serbian police used tear gas and stun grenades Friday to disperse protesters at a university campus in Novi Sad demanding early elections and the resignation of President Aleksandar Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
Following the tragic incident at the Novi Sad railway station, student-led protests in Serbia have turned into the most serious public outcry against the government — a new prime minister has been appointed, while allegations of sound weapon use have been officially denied.
Human rights groups have accused the Serbian government of using a sonic weapon to disperse a massive protest in Belgrade. However, the authorities have denied these claims, stating that their security forces did not deploy a sonic weapon to intimidate protesters at the anti-government rally.
Thousands in Niš held a 15-minute silence on Saturday to honor victims of a train station disaster, as student-led protests against corruption continue to grow across Serbia.
A 77-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman were killed on Monday (4 May), after a man drove a car into a crowd on a pedestrianised street in the the eastern German city of Leipzig, authorities said.
Iran warned Armerican forces on Monday (4 May) not to enter the Strait of Hormuz, after the U.S. said it had launched a mission to try and reopen the sea passage. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister said there was no military solution to the Middle East conflict.
China has moved to block U.S. sanctions on five of its oil refineries, in a fresh escalation of tensions over trade and energy policy.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will “soon be reviewing” a new 14-point proposal sent by Iran, casting doubt on the chances of a deal after Tehran called for security guarantees, an end to naval blockades and a halt to the war across the region, including in Lebanon.
Ukraine has launched a new wave of drone strikes on Sunday (3 May) across Russia, hitting key infrastructure and causing casualties in several regions, officials on both sides said.
A 77-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman were killed on Monday (4 May), after a man drove a car into a crowd on a pedestrianised street in the the eastern German city of Leipzig, authorities said.
Austria has expelled three diplomats from the Russian Embassy over concerns that satellite installations on diplomatic buildings could be used for espionage.
A Russian missile strike killed six people in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region on Monday (4 May), as Kyiv reported fresh attacks on energy infrastructure and a sharp rise in drone strikes on ports.
Australia and Japan agreed on Monday to deepen cooperation on energy and critical minerals, as Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met her Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese during a three-day visit.
Australia began public hearings on Monday in an inquiry into the Bondi Beach mass shooting in December, with Jewish Australians giving evidence about their experiences of rising domestic antisemitism.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment