Tensions Rise in Serbia Amid Protests Against President Vucic
BELGRADE - On April 12, demonstrations erupted across Serbia as both supporters and opponents of President Aleksandar Vucic rallied in various locations. This surge in public engagement has been fueled by months of protests, primarily organized by students, stemming from a tragic rail accident that claimed 16 lives in Novi Sad last November. The demonstrators have pointed fingers at systemic corruption and lack of accountability as the root causes for the incident, turning their outrage into a larger movement against what they deem Vucic's deteriorating governance.
Vucic, who has held the presidency since 2017 and previously served as prime minister, faced a considerable challenge to his authority as protests grew in scale and intensity. Speaking before thousands of supporters in Belgrade, the president announced plans to establish a new political movement, calling it a "Movement for the People and the State." He emphasized the necessity for fresh energy and a comprehensive plan for the future, extending to the year 2035. While he did not provide many details about this new initiative, he hinted at the organization of subsequent rallies to rally support.
During his address, Vucic urged students to return to their educational institutions, declaring that the so-called "colored revolution"—a term referring to movements that led to governmental changes in other countries—was effectively over. His government has persistently characterized the ongoing student-led protests and blockades as an attempt to incite a similar revolution in Serbia.
Various reports indicate that many who attended Vucic's rally were bused in from different regions, including Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina, where significant ethnic-Serbian populations reside. Among the attendees was Milorad Dodik, a controversial Bosnian Serb leader facing legal issues in Bosnia and sanctions from Western governments, who also addressed the crowd.
Estimates from the Public Meeting Archive, an NGO that tracks crowd sizes at public events, placed attendance at Vucic's Belgrade rally at around 55,000. In stark contrast, a recent student-led protest held on March 15 attracted an estimated 275,000 to 325,000 participants, showcasing the rising discontent among the populace.
In addition to the capital, protests also unfolded in Novi Pazar, approximately 300 kilometers south of Belgrade. Students there, who have been carrying out blockades at university faculties for over four months, demanded immediate accountability from the government regarding the November disaster. A contingent of students traveled long distances to join their peers in Novi Pazar for the protest, maintaining a strong presence as they made their calls for justice.
As tensions continue to escalate, Serbia stands at a crossroads, facing defining moments that could reshape its political landscape. Students and citizens alike are committed to demanding their leaders be held accountable, even as the government dismisses their efforts as attempts to disrupt stability.
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