Over 100,000 protesters flood Belgrade in one of biggest anti-government rallies

Record ID: 1983752

  • Title: Over 100,000 protesters flood Belgrade in one of biggest anti-government rallies
  • Date: 15th March 2025
  • Summary: BELGRADE, SERBIA (MARCH 15, 2025) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MASS OF PROTESTERS IN BELGRADE STREETS, WAVING SERBIAN FLAGS, MAN WAVING FLAG FROM WINDOW VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS WITH FLAGS, TORCHES, WALKING SLOWLY TOWARDS SLAVIJA SQUARE WIDE VIEW OF MASS OF PEOPLE ON SLAVIJA SQUARE, DETAILS OF PEOPLE WALKING PROTESTERS BLOWING WHISTLES, VUVUZELAS PROTESTERS CARRYING BANNERS, CHANTING
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Aleksandar Vucic Serbia protests Serbian President Serbian government Serbian students
  • Location: BELGRADE, SERBIA
  • City: BELGRADE, SERBIA
  • Country: Serbia
  • Topics: Europe,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001908415032025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:More than 100,000 protesters descended on Serbia's capital Belgrade on Saturday in one of the largest rallies in decades, with students and workers facing supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic and riot police.
    Serbia has seen months of anti-government rallies after 15 deaths from a railway station roof collapse triggered accusations of widespread corruption and negligence.
    A security source and witnesses estimated the crowd at well over 100,000 people.
    The protests have swelled to include students, teachers and farmers in a major challenge to Vucic, a populist in power for 12 years as prime minister or president.
    The government denies accusations of graft and incompetence and says Western intelligence agencies are backing a push to destabilize Serbia.
    One student told Reuters it didn't matter much how the protests continued as long as they carried on until their demands were met.
    “It doesn't matter, as long as they (the government) know that they can be replaced, that we can count on fair and honest elections," said another. "And life in general, that we can live better and more dignified lives.”
    Streets were choked as protesters kept up a festive mood, lighting flares and chanting their slogan "Pump it up."
    The students are demanding the release of documents about last year's railway station disaster in the city of Novi Sad, and accountability for those responsible. Many had traveled hundreds of miles on foot or by bike.
    Police said they apprehended 13 people in incidents overnight and early on Saturday, including three men after an attack on pro-Vucic farmers' tractors parked in a ring around Pionirski Park where government supporters have been camping.
    Across the street from the park, hundreds of veterans from elite military brigades in maroon berets and bikers, both allied with the students, lined up as the march proceeded between the parliament building and nearby Slavija square.
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