Unrest in Serbia against the current administration intensifies once more
The past few months in Serbia have seen a series of volatile and confrontational protests against President Aleksandar Vučić's government. The unrest began in response to a tragic incident on November 1, 2024, when a concrete canopy weighing over 300 tons collapsed at the railway station in Novi Sad, killing 16 people. This event sparked a broad anti-government movement, accusing Vučić’s regime of corruption, repression, and authoritarian practices.
The atmosphere during these protests has been chaotic, with daily clashes between demonstrators and police spreading across many Serbian cities, including Belgrade, Novi Sad, Vrbas, and Bačka Palanka. Protesters face tear gas, armored vehicles, and often violent police interventions, while pro-government supporters have also attacked anti-Vučić demonstrators.
The police have been accused of brutality, with multiple reports of arrests, beatings, and detention under harsh conditions. Demonstrators have responded with stone-throwing, vandalism, and targeted actions against ruling party offices.
The causes of this unrest are rooted in the fatal Novi Sad railway station collapse symbolizing government negligence and corruption, as the canopy had been re-opened only four months earlier after reconstruction. Longstanding concerns over declining democratic standards under Vučić’s rule, including erosion of judicial independence, media freedom, fair elections, and the rule of law, have also played a significant role.
A student-led, largely leaderless protest movement emerging from Generation Z, focused on restoring democracy and opposing Vučić’s increasingly authoritarian government, has also been a driving force behind the protests. The government's response has included alleged deployment of hooligan groups to provoke violence and suppress protests, police brutality, and threats of declaring a state of emergency.
In recent developments, SNS supporters attacked pro-government demonstrators in the northern Serbian villages of Vrbas and Backa Palanka, with no police intervention. Windows of two headquarters of the ruling SNS party were smashed in Novi Sad, and objects were removed from the buildings. President Vučić has threatened to "clean the streets" of protesters, labeling them as criminals.
The protests continue to demand Vučić's resignation and new elections. During the previous night's protests, windows of two SNS headquarters were smashed in Novi Sad, and objects were removed from the buildings. Protesters faced police barriers and clashes with SNS supporters, resulting in dozens of injuries due to police violence with batons. Five police officers were injured during the protests.
Independent experts and opposition figures blame shoddy workmanship and corruption under Vučić's government for the train station canopy collapse. The protests have been happening almost daily, with over 30 locations across the country participating in the previous night's demonstrations. Fourteen demonstrators were arrested during the protests.
As of late August 2025, the situation remains tense with no resolution in sight. The protests represent a significant challenge to President Vučić's government, sparked by a tragic accident but fueled by broader systemic issues of governance and democracy.
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