Tensions rise in Serbia: 'Everything is ready for an event unlike any seen before'

Serbia is bracing for a politically charged weekend as two major gatherings are set to take place amidst a prolonged wave of anti-government protests. Tens of thousands of people are expected to participate in events across the country, with temperatures forecast to reach around 38 degrees Celsius.

On Saturday, supporters of President Aleksandar Vučić will convene in Belgrade for a rally organized under the "Serbia Wins" campaign. This event is seen as a counter-campaign to the "Students Win" movement, which has been advocating for early parliamentary elections for over a year and a half. The student movement has called for a large protest in Kraljevo on Sunday, where they will again demand snap elections.

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Everything is ready for an event the likes of which has not been seen before.

Preparations for the Belgrade rally, where Vučić is expected to address tens of thousands of people in front of the Serbian Parliament, have caused significant disruptions. The city center has been blocked to all traffic until Monday morning, with tents being set up in front of the parliament building. Traffic has also been halted on side streets, and public transport routes have been altered or temporarily suspended.

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Max wants a fast car, he has always wanted a fast car and he fully trusts that we will do everything possible in the short and long term to return to success.

Media outlets supportive of Vučić and the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) have promoted the Belgrade event, describing it as "an event the likes of which has not been seen before." The day is planned to include all-day activities for children and youth, musical performances, and the unfurling of a "record-breaking Serbian flag" measuring over 500 meters long and weighing nearly a ton. This is intended as a prelude to Vučić's speech, where he is expected to discuss "upcoming elections and new state measures, with a look at the political differences in the country."

The rally in Belgrade follows Vučić's attendance at the opening of a section of the Morava Corridor highway, which is viewed by the public as a ramp-up of the election campaign. However, despite numerous announcements from Vučić, a reliable election calendar has yet to be established. The student protests, which began after a tragedy in November 2024 where 16 people died in the collapse of a canopy at a train station in Novi Sad, are fueled by protesters' accusations of corruption and institutional negligence.

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We feel at home at Red Bull. But Max was not born to drive in the midfield.