Unrest and aggression in Serbia manifesting through public demonstrations
In the heart of Serbia, the capital city of Novi Sad has been witnessing a series of escalating protests, led predominantly by students, for the past ten months. The movement, which began after the collapse of a renovated train station canopy, has been causing disruptions nationwide with daily demonstrations and blockades.
The latest demonstration in Novi Sad saw violent clashes between police and protesters, resulting in the injury of 13 police officers. According to Interior Minister Ivica Dačić, protesters attacked the police with stones, fireworks, and metal bars.
The protests have been peaceful for the most part, with thousands of young people participating. A banner at the protest read, "Students demand immediate elections." The movement is demanding early elections, a call that has been echoed by the opposition and experts who blame corruption and negligence by the government for the train station canopy collapse.
The leader of the current Serbian government, Prime Minister Đuro Macut, who took office in April 2025, is against whose government protests in Serbia are directed. However, the longstanding protests are mainly against Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and his Serbian Progressive Party, seen by many as corrupt and authoritarian.
Vučić has labeled the protesters as "terrorists." Yet, the protests are putting significant pressure on President Vučić and his government. During the latest protest, police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowd, according to an AFP correspondent. News agency Beta also reported bottles being thrown at police during the protest.
The violence has resulted in 42 arrests, with thousands of peaceful protesters forcefully dispersed from the University of Novi Sad campus. The protests, which have been ongoing for ten months, show no signs of abating, as the students and the opposition continue to demand early elections and a change in the current political landscape of Serbia.
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