The streets of Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, descended into chaos on Saturday as a massive anti-government demonstration culminated in violent clashes between protesters and police. The confrontation left dozens injured and resulted in numerous arrests, marking a significant escalation in the country’s ongoing political tensions. Interior Minister Ivica Dačić reported that 48 police officers and 22 civilians were wounded, with 77 individuals detained following the turmoil.
The protest was strategically held on June 28th, a date known as Vidovdan (St. Vitus Day), which is Serbia’s principal national holiday. This timing helped draw an immense crowd, with organizers claiming up to 130,000 participants, while police estimates were a more conservative 36,000. Regardless of the exact figure, the rally was one of the largest in recent memory, paralyzing the city center with a sea of people demanding the resignation of President Aleksandar Vučić.
The grievances against President Vučić are multifaceted. Protesters accuse him of fostering a climate of corruption and employing authoritarian tactics. The movement gained significant momentum following a national tragedy on November 1, 2024, when a canopy collapse at the Novi Sad train station killed 15 people. That incident sparked a wave of anti-presidential demonstrations, often led by university students, who hold the government responsible for negligence.
While the demonstration began peacefully, the situation deteriorated when a radical faction of protesters broke away and headed towards Pioneer Park, where a much smaller rally in support of President Vučić was taking place. Police forces intervened to prevent a direct confrontation between the two groups. In response, protesters hurled bricks and firecrackers at the officers, who then deployed batons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
In a televised address to the nation on Sunday, President Vučić adopted a defiant tone, vowing that “Serbia cannot be defeated by violence.” He condemned the attacks on law enforcement and promised that all individuals involved in the violent acts would be held accountable and brought to justice, signaling a firm government crackdown in the wake of the unrest.