Clashes Erupt as Serbian Protesters Demand Early Elections Amid Corruption Claims

Protests in Serbia are intensifying, challenging President Aleksandar Vucic's governance amid allegations of corruption and public frustration over prolonged rule.

Serbian police clashed with a massive crowd of anti-government demonstrators in Belgrade on Saturday, where approximately 140,000 citizens rallied for an early election and an end to President Aleksandar Vucic's nearly 12-year tenure. This protest marks the largest assembly in recent months, spurred by ongoing student-led movements that seek to increase pressure on the ruling establishment. Protesters echoed chants of "We want elections!" while riot police responded with tear gas and stun grenades, leading to numerous arrests.

In a social media statement, President Vucic accused the demonstrators of being part of a foreign conspiracy to undermine Serbia. He expressed confidence in his government's stability amid these accusations, stating, "They wanted to topple Serbia, and they have failed." Days preceding the protest, authorities detained five individuals accused of conspiring to overthrow the government.

Following the unrest, Serbia’s Police Minister condemned the actions of some protesters as violent and vowed that those responsible would be held accountable. The ongoing protests, which have swept across the nation since late last year, center around a tragic incident at Novi Sad railway station that resulted in 16 fatalities, with protesters attributing the tragedy to systemic corruption.

Supporting the protesters, Sladjana Lojanovic, a farmer from northern Serbia, claimed that the institutions have been compromised, emphasizing, "There is a lot of corruption. Elections are the solution, but I don’t think he (Vucic) will want to go peacefully." President Vucic has continually rejected calls for snap elections, as his Progressive Party maintains a firm majority in parliament.

Critics of Vucic allege that he has close ties to organized crime and suppresses media freedoms, charges that his administration vehemently denies. Additionally, Vucic’s alignment with Russia amid ongoing geopolitical conflicts—especially Serbia's decision not to align with Western sanctions against Moscow—adds another layer of complexity to the nation's political landscape.

As the most recent protest concluded, organizers urged participants to "take freedom into your own hands," effectively conveying that escalating tensions lie squarely with the authorities, who they accuse of opting for repression over dialogue with the populace.