Despite a significant turnout for a pro-government rally in Belgrade, attendance fell short of recent anti-government protests, reflecting a nation divided in the wake of a tragic incident. While supporters rallied behind President Vucic's vision, dissent continued to flourish among those demanding accountability.
Pro-Government Rally in Belgrade Highlights Divided Sentiments Amidst Ongoing Unrest
Pro-Government Rally in Belgrade Highlights Divided Sentiments Amidst Ongoing Unrest
In a pivotal moment for Serbia, tens of thousands convene to support President Vucic amidst controversy and protests sparked by tragedy and alleged corruption.
Tens of thousands of supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic gathered in Belgrade for a rally amidst ongoing unrest that has gripped the country for several months. Estimates from monitoring organizations indicate that approximately 55,000 people were present outside the National Assembly. The turnout, however, was notably less than the massive anti-government protests seen last month, which drew hundreds of thousands of participants.
The recent demonstrations were ignited after the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad last November led to the tragic deaths of 15 individuals, sparking public outrage. Many Serbians pointed fingers at systemic corruption and negligence within Vucic’s Progressive Party, linked to the government's handling of infrastructure projects.
Promoting the rally as the initiation of a "Movement for the People and the State," Vucic claimed it was a campaign to rescue Serbia from diverse threats aimed at undermining its stability. In his address, he condemned the student-led protests as detrimental to the nation's peace and alleged that activists were funded by “foreign intelligence agencies,” though he did not identify specific entities.
The Serbian leader criticized the national broadcaster RTS for its role in fostering dissent, accusing it of complicity in an "attempted color revolution." Critics of Vucic assert that the corruption claims stem from a decade-long rule where favoured contractors benefited from unclear procurement processes that jeopardized public safety.
As protests escalated, many continued to chant slogans like "corruption kills," demanding accountability and change, culminating in unprecedented demonstrations across Serbia. In the previous month, independent estimates placed attendance at protests in the capital upwards of 325,000 participants, marking one of the largest rallies in the country’s history. Nevertheless, despite calls for accountability and reform, Vucic's administration remains resolute, focusing on the rally's pro-Serbian narrative.
