In Belgrade, a pro-government rally saw around 55,000 supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic, amidst ongoing nationwide unrest following last year's Novi Sad tragedy that killed 15 people.
Pro-Government Rally in Serbia Draws Thousands Amid Ongoing Unrest
Pro-Government Rally in Serbia Draws Thousands Amid Ongoing Unrest
Tens of thousands rally in Belgrade for President Vucic, as protests against his leadership continue.
Tens of thousands of supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic gathered in Belgrade in what was promoted as the launch of a "Movement for the People and the State," seeking to rally public support after months of unrest. Estimates from a monitoring organization indicated that approximately 55,000 individuals congregated in front of the National Assembly. While some attendees traveled from neighboring countries, the turnout was significantly lower compared to the recent anti-government protests that have gripped Serbia since November.
The unrest was sparked by the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad that resulted in 15 fatalities, leading to widespread public outcry against the alleged corruption and negligence attributed to Vucic's Progressive Party. At the rally, Vucic accused protesters of being paid agents of "foreign intelligence agencies," without specifying any particular country. He called on prosecutors to restore order, stating that the student-led protests threatened national stability.
Despite Vucic's attempts to reposition his government, public dissatisfaction has been palpable. The rally's backdrop is a series of protests spurred by anger over infrastructure safety and procurement practices, encapsulated by the slogan "corruption kills." Following the tragic events at Novi Sad, demonstrators have increasingly expressed frustration toward Vucic's administration.
In sharp contrast to the rally’s attendance, a previously held anti-government protest saw hundreds of thousands of citizens, estimated at 325,000, march in Serbia's capital, marking the largest protest in the nation's history. Government authorities are facing scrutiny over their handling of the protests and public safety amid calls for accountability and transparency.
