Over 100 thousand protest in Belgrade, Serbia

Belgrade witnessed a protest with over 100,000 people taking to the streets in a demonstration against Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic and his government. The protest marked the climax of months of ongoing unrest, fueled by growing public dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of various issues.

The streets of the Serbian capital saw large crowds despite intermittent rain. The protests have been largely led by university students, who have been at the forefront of the peaceful demonstrations for the past four months.

However, in an unexpected turn of events, the students called for an abrupt end to the rally. They cited concerns over safety after a few isolated incidents between the protesters and the police. With their decision to terminate the protest, many protesters began to disperse.

Peak of 107 thousand protestors

At the peak of the protest, police reported that the crowd numbered around 107,000 people. Serbian independent media, however, estimated that the actual turnout was even higher, describing it as the largest protest in the country’s history. To accommodate the massive influx of demonstrators, all public transportation in Belgrade was suspended, as people streamed into the city from every direction.

The rally was part of a broader, nationwide anti-corruption movement that was sparked by a tragic incident in November 2024. A concrete canopy at a train station in northern Serbia collapsed, resulting in the deaths of 15 people. This disaster became a symbol of the government’s failure to address corruption and public safety issues, leading to widespread protests across the country.

Saturday’s rally in Belgrade underscored the deep discontent with President Vucic’s leadership and the government’s handling of key issues, particularly corruption and safety concerns.