BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) – Clashes broke out at protests in Serbia as tensions escalated between opponents and supporters of the government, following over nine months of continuous demonstrations against populist President Aleksandar Vucic. The unrest began on Tuesday evening in Vrbas, located northwest of the capital, Belgrade, where riot police had to intervene to separate the opposing groups outside the offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party.
Footage from the scenes depicted government supporters engaging in violent acts, such as throwing flares, rocks, and bottles at the protesters, who retaliated by throwing various objects back. Police reported that dozens of individuals sustained injuries, including 16 officers. Similar incidents of violence were reported at protests across various regions of the country.
The student-led protests initially commenced in November, following a tragic incident in which a train station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad, resulting in the deaths of 16 people. This disaster led to widespread accusations of corruption in state infrastructure projects. Since then, the protests have garnered participation from hundreds of thousands of people, challenging Vucic's stronghold on power in Serbia.
Recently, the president's supporters have begun organizing counter-demonstrations, which have heightened concerns regarding potential violence. Following the clashes in Vrbas, several individuals were detained, and Police Commissioner Dragan Vasiljevic stated to state RTS television that the protesters "came to attack" the ruling party's supporters.
Protesters contend that government supporters initiated the violence first in Vrbas and later in other cities such as Backa Palanka, Novi Sad, and Nis. In Belgrade, riot police took measures to disperse protesters who had gathered in a downtown area. Surprisingly, an overwhelming majority of protests since November have remained peaceful. Led predominantly by university students, the demonstrators are demanding an early parliamentary election, which Vucic has refused to call.
Additionally, the protesting students have called for the removal of Interior Minister Ivica Dacic due to his handling of recent violence during demonstrations. While Serbia is officially seeking membership in the European Union, Vucic has strengthened ties with Russia and China, leading to accusations of suppressing democratic freedoms since he assumed power 13 years ago. The ongoing protests, fueled by the tragic events of November, reflect a persistent challenge to Vucic's populist government as citizens demand accountability and reform.
