140,000 Join Belgrade Protest Urging Early Elections

Around 140,000 protesters rallied in Belgrade in the largest turnout in recent months, as student-led demonstrations intensified calls for early elections in Serbia.

The rally, part of a movement that began last November after a deadly train station collapse in Novi Sad killed 16 people, was a direct response to alleged government corruption and inaction. The tragedy has fuelled months of student-led protests and university blockades.

On Saturday, crowds filled Belgrade’s main square and spilled into nearby streets. Protest monitors estimated 140,000 attendees—far higher than the police count of 36,000.

Chanting “We want elections!”, demonstrators waved Serbian flags and held banners bearing names of towns across the country.

While past rallies remained peaceful, this one saw clashes. Riot police fired tear gas and stun grenades after protesters hurled flares. Police director Dragan Vasiljevic said batons were used but denied any use of chemical agents. Six officers and two civilians were injured, and dozens were detained.

Students had issued an ultimatum demanding President Aleksandar Vucic announce elections by 9:00pm. He rejected the demand.

“We will rally as long as it takes,” said law student Stefan Ivakovic. Organisers later told the crowd to "take freedom into your own hands" and blamed authorities for the violence.

The outcry over the Novi Sad disaster already led to the prime minister’s resignation, but the ruling party and President Vucic remain in control. Vucic claims the protests are a foreign attempt to destabilise his government.

On Friday, five individuals were detained for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government. Protesters have also demanded the removal of pro-government camps outside parliament.

University of Belgrade rector Vladan Djokic, now a vocal protest supporter, said students have endured “arrests, interrogations, and attacks.” Despite recent electoral gains by the opposition, Vucic's party maintains power amid ongoing fraud allegations—claims he denies.