Serbian police and anti-government protesters clashed Saturday amid rising tensions over calls for snap elections and the end of President Aleksandar Vučić’s 12-year rule.
Authorities deployed a large contingent of riot police around key government buildings, parliament, and Pionirski Park, where supporters of Vučić gathered in a counter-protest. The situation turned tense after the main protest ended around 10 pm, with some demonstrators throwing bottles, rocks, and flares at police officers. Police responded with force, dispersing crowds across multiple locations in Belgrade’s city center.
At least several dozen protesters were detained, and six police officers reportedly sustained injuries, according to police director Dragan Vasiljević, who briefed the media late Saturday night.
President Vučić accused the protesters of attempting to destabilize the country, posting on Instagram, “They wanted to topple Serbia, and they have failed.” Meanwhile, student groups and other organizers maintained that they were committed to peaceful, non-violent demonstrations.
Vučić’s government has long resisted calls for snap elections, despite widespread public pressure for change. His coalition, led by the ruling Progressive Party, holds 156 of the 250 parliamentary seats. Earlier Saturday, Vučić also claimed that “foreign powers” were behind the protests, urging restraint from security forces while warning that violence would not be tolerated.
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