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Serbian Demonstrations Flare as 140,000 Demand Political Change Amid Clashes with Riot Police
Belgrade, Serbia – June 29, 2025 — Tensions erupted in Serbia this weekend as an estimated 140,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Belgrade in a show of mass dissent against President Aleksandar Vučić’s government. The protests, the largest in the country in over a decade, escalated into chaos late Saturday as clashes broke out between demonstrators and riot police.
The unrest was sparked by growing public frustration over alleged corruption, authoritarianism, and electoral manipulation under Vučić’s administration. Protesters, waving Serbian flags and chanting “Down with the regime!” and “We want justice!”, marched towards the parliament building before being met by rows of riot police armed with shields, batons, and tear gas.
According to eyewitness reports, scuffles began after some demonstrators attempted to push through police barricades. Tear gas was deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowd, leading to panic and stampedes. Several people were injured in the confrontation, including journalists and elderly demonstrators, with social media flooded by videos showing heavy-handed police tactics.
“We are here because we can’t breathe anymore under this regime,” said Milica, a 27-year-old protester from Novi Sad. “They steal our future, silence our voices, and now they attack us for speaking out.”
The protests were organized by opposition parties and civil society groups under the banner “Serbia Against Violence,” a movement that gained momentum following controversial parliamentary elections earlier this year. Critics accuse Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of vote rigging, pressuring voters, and controlling media outlets to maintain power.
Vučić, who has been in power since 2012 and served both as Prime Minister and President, has dismissed the protests as being driven by “foreign interference and domestic traitors,” further inflaming tensions.
International response has been swift, with the European Union expressing concern over the use of force against peaceful demonstrators. “The right to peaceful protest is fundamental in a democratic society,” an EU spokesperson said Sunday. “We urge Serbian authorities to engage in dialogue and show restraint.”
Analysts say the sheer scale of the protests marks a turning point in Serbia’s political landscape. While Vučić has long maintained a strong grip on power, growing unrest — particularly among the youth — signals a deepening crisis of legitimacy.
“This isn’t just about one election,” said political analyst Dragan Vasić. “It’s about years of eroded institutions, crushed dissent, and public frustration boiling over.”
As Belgrade streets remain tense and protest leaders call for continued demonstrations, the government faces mounting pressure both domestically and abroad. Whether this movement translates into tangible political change remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Serbian people are no longer staying silent.
Attached is a News article regarding violent protest of 140,000 Serbians in demand
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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