Tens of thousands rally in Serbia for antigovernment demonstrations

Tens of thousands of people, led by university students, rallied in Serbia's capital to protest the government and demand early elections. The demonstrations, which began after a deadly rail station disaster in November 2024, have snowballed into a campaign against President Aleksandar Vucic.

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Students win

Protesters streamed into Belgrade's central square, many carrying banners and wearing T-shirts with the "Students win" motto. Columns of cars arrived from other Serbian towns, with one protester, Maja Milas Markovic, expressing belief in the right to live normally. The Serbian state railway company cancelled trains to the capital, attempting to limit participation.

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Students managed to gather us here with their youth and wonderful energy; I really believe that we have [the] right to live normally.

President Vucic has pushed back against the protesters, suggesting elections could be held between September and November. Meanwhile, his loyalists gathered in a park camp outside the presidency building, creating a human shield. Concerns remain about potential violent conflict with Vucic's supporters, who have previously attacked student protesters.

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huge support from the public, and that’s because they’re an all-encompassing movement … against the government.

Journalist Tetyana Kekic noted the protests have "huge support from the public" due to their all-encompassing nature against the government. However, she pointed out the challenge lies in the lack of a clear political platform, policies, or a leading personality to challenge the president.

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clear political platform or policies … and they do not have a leader or a personality which could really challenge the president