Massive anti-government protest floods Belgrade streets, challenging Vučić's rule

On March 15, tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Belgrade, marking the largest anti-government rally in Serbia's history and signaling the intensification of months-long opposition to President Aleksandar Vučić's rule. 

The demonstrators, largely university students, marched through the capital despite heavy rain, filling the city streets and overwhelming public transport networks, which were shut down in a bid to prevent further participation, Caliber.Az reports, citing European media.

The rally was the climax of over four months of anti-corruption protests sparked by the tragic collapse of a concrete canopy at a train station in northern Serbia, which killed 15 people. Protesters blame the accident on widespread corruption and negligence within the government. The students leading the protests have galvanized public discontent, with calls for justice for the victims and reform of the country’s governance.

"We hope this will shake his authority," said Milenko Kovacevic, a protester. "Vučić needs to realize that the people are no longer with him."

The protest is viewed as the most significant challenge to Vučić’s 13-year tenure. His government has faced increasing criticism over corruption, media control, and erosion of democratic institutions. While the protest marks a high point, activists stress that it is only the beginning of a broader movement for change. "This is just the beginning of the end," said Dejan Simic, another protester.

In a highly charged atmosphere, riot police were deployed in large numbers across the city. Authorities arrested several individuals, including six opposition activists accused of plotting unrest, and a man was detained after ramming his car into a group of protesters, injuring three people. Several foreign journalists were also turned away at the border, with Serbian authorities citing security concerns.

Despite Vučić’s warnings of unrest and his accusations that Western intelligence agencies are behind the protests, the student-led movement has remained largely peaceful, even as it gained significant traction across Serbia. Many protesters have expressed frustration with the government’s response to the tragic accident, and calls for justice for the victims have been central to the demonstrations.

Vučić, who has faced mounting pressure, has rejected calls for a transitional government or early elections, and his supporters, including ex-paramilitary members and violent soccer hooligans, have gathered in central Belgrade to show backing for the president.

By Khagan Isayev