Serbia Hundreds of thousands flock to Belgrade to protest against Vucic
Huge crowds have flocked to the center of the Serbian capital Belgrade for what is probably the largest demonstration in the history of the Balkan country. Hundreds of thousands responded to the student protest movement's call to demonstrate under the slogan "On the 15th for the 15", reported the news channel N1. Drone footage taken by several Serbian media showed long streets of Belgrade's city center full of people.
15.03.2025, 19:03
SDA
Observers described the rally on Saturday, March 15, as the largest demonstration in the history of the Balkan country. Its motto alludes to the disaster in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad on November 1, when a train station canopy collapsed and 15 people were killed. The catastrophe triggered a large wave of protests supported by the country's students.
Participants in the protests blame the disaster in Novi Sad on the corruption of those in power under the partly authoritarian President Aleksandar Vucic. The station had been rebuilt shortly beforehand. However, they are not calling for the resignation of politicians, but for the consistent enforcement of the rule of law and the punishment of corrupt actors.
Critics accuse Vucic of basing his power on corrupt networks, restricted media freedom and manipulated elections. Control over the judiciary allows him to maintain conditions that contradict the rule of law.
People from all over Serbia came to Belgrade for the rally on Saturday. Students had marched to the capital on foot from various parts of the country. Belgrade's citizens gave them a euphoric reception the night before. They applauded and cheered the young people, some of whom had walked for several days over distances of 200 kilometers or more.
"Let's awaken Serbia together"
The center of the rally in the late afternoon was Slavija Square, where the organizers had set up a stage. "Look where we are. See how many we are. Your voice counts. (...) Let's awaken Serbia together. The night is darkest before the dawn," a female student was the first speaker to call out to the crowd. At 11:52 a.m., the time of the Novi Sad tragedy, thousands of people who were already in Belgrade held a 15-minute silent prayer for the victims. An unreal silence fell over the city.
Vucic had said beforehand that the students were planning a violent coup and had stormed public buildings. But the major event passed off peacefully.
In a southern suburb of Belgrade, a car driver deliberately drove into a crowd of marching people. Three young people suffered injuries, according to the police. The driver of the vehicle was arrested.
There have also been repeated attacks on demonstrators in the past, whether by government supporters in their cars or by thugs from Vucic's ruling party.
