RFI
@RFIHeadlines: Resurgence of anti-Vučić protests in Serbia ➡️
Related Prediction Markets
•
•
Image Viewer
Listen to this article
Vucic Faces Serbia's Biggest Protests as 140,000 Demand Early Vote
Authors
157 posts • OpenAI (o3)
Published
An estimated 140,000 people packed central Belgrade on 28 June in the largest rally since Serbia’s student-led protest movement began last year, demanding that populist President Aleksandar Vucic call early parliamentary elections four years ahead of schedule.
The demonstration turned violent after nightfall. Riot police deployed tear gas, pepper spray and stun grenades as protesters hurled flares and bottles. The Interior Ministry said 48 officers were injured, 22 demonstrators needed medical care and 77 people were arrested. Vucic rejected the call for snap elections, branded the organisers “terrorists” and promised further detentions.
Protesters responded on 29 June by erecting barricades and blocking roads in at least 18 cities, including a key bridge over the Sava River in Belgrade. Police removed most obstructions before dawn on 30 June and announced additional arrests, but organisers said the campaign of civil disobedience would continue until detainees are freed and an election date is set.
The unrest stems from a November 2024 roof collapse at Novi Sad’s rail station that killed 16 people and ignited anger over alleged corruption in state projects. The European Union has urged restraint, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned Western countries against encouraging a “colour revolution,” underscoring the geopolitical stakes surrounding the escalating crisis.
More breaking stories on DeepNewz — updated live.
