Protesters in Serbia have taken to the streets, demanding an end to the government’s authoritarian rule and calling for snap elections. The demonstrations, which began nearly eight months ago, have intensified with clashes between police and protesters in the capital, Belgrade.
Thousands of people participated in the latest rally, with authorities estimating around 36,000 attendees. However, independent estimates suggest a much larger crowd, potentially up to 140,000. Protesters are demanding an end to what they see as widespread corruption and democratic freedoms being stifled under the rule of President Aleksandar Vucic.
The protesters’ demands include snap elections, free and fair voting, and reforms in the education system, as well as recognition of student bodies as legal entities. They also want guarantees for fair wages and respect for university autonomy.
Vucic has accused the protesters of inciting violence and has promised to make more arrests, despite the protests showing no signs of slowing down. Analysts believe that the situation is escalating, with both sides refusing to back down.
The country’s history is marked by a strong tradition of uprooting authoritarian leaders, as seen in the 2000 “Bulldozer Revolution” that saw the overthrow of President Slobodan Milosevic. However, this time around, the protesters’ movement has less support from abroad and Vucic’s grip on security infrastructure is stronger.
Despite these challenges, protesters remain committed to their cause, with organizers vowing not to back down. Analysts forecast that the protests will eventually prevail, but at what cost remains to be seen.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/30/what-are-serbias-protesters-demanding-and-whats-next