Thursday, May 28Thursday, May 28Clashes erupt in Belgrade as anti-government protesters defy police during mass rally against Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić
Thousands of anti-government demonstrators clashed with police in central Belgrade on Saturday after a massive protest against Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić turned violent, according to multiple reports. Riot police deployed tear gas and batons to disperse crowds near the National Assembly building, where protesters had gathered to demand Vučić’s resignation over allegations of authoritarianism and electoral fraud.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as groups of demonstrators hurled stones and Molotov cocktails at security forces, who responded with water cannons and stun grenades. At least 47 people were injured, including 12 police officers, and 23 protesters were arrested, Serbia’s Interior Ministry said in a statement . The unrest followed a peaceful march that drew an estimated 50,000 people—one of the largest opposition rallies in Serbia in years—organized by the *Serbia Against Violence* coalition, a broad alliance of opposition parties and civil society groups.
Protesters accuse Vučić’s government of eroding democratic institutions, suppressing media freedom, and manipulating elections. The rally’s organizers cited recent reports by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which criticized Serbia’s April 2026 parliamentary elections for "uneven playing field" conditions favoring Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). "This is not a protest—it’s a revolution," said opposition leader Marinika Tepić, addressing the crowd before clashes erupted. "We will not stop until this regime falls" .
Vučić, who has led Serbia since 2014, dismissed the protests as a "foreign-backed coup attempt" in a televised address late Saturday. He accused opposition leaders of inciting violence and warned of "severe consequences" for those involved in the unrest. "Serbia will not be destabilized by hooligans paid by Brussels and Washington," Vučić said, without providing evidence for his claims. The government has also restricted access to social media platforms in parts of Belgrade, citing "national security concerns" .
The protests come amid growing international scrutiny of Vučić’s rule. The European Union, which Serbia has sought to join since 2012, has repeatedly urged Belgrade to implement judicial reforms and respect press freedoms. Last week, the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning "systematic intimidation" of journalists in Serbia, citing the unsolved 2018 murder of investigative reporter Milan Jovanović as a symbol of impunity. The U.S. State Department also expressed "deep concern" over the weekend’s violence, calling for "restraint from all sides" .
Opposition leaders have vowed to continue demonstrations, with another rally planned for next Saturday. "This is just the beginning," said Vladan Gligorijević, a protest organizer. "Vučić has two choices: resign or face the streets every weekend." Meanwhile, Serbia’s prosecutor’s office announced an investigation into "acts of vandalism" during the protests, raising fears of a crackdown on dissent. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have called for an independent inquiry into police use of force, warning that "excessive violence risks escalating an already volatile situation" .
The unrest in Belgrade reflects broader regional tensions, with pro-democracy movements gaining momentum in neighboring Hungary and Montenegro. Analysts suggest Vučić’s ability to maintain control may hinge on whether he can divide the opposition or secure concessions from the EU—neither of which appears imminent. For now, Serbia’s streets remain a battleground between a government clinging to power and a movement demanding change.
Pour fortifier le statut des autrices et auteurs, suivons Hugo ! par Julien Delmaire Lauteur des «Châtiments», défenseur du domaine public, en appelait également à la solidarité des vivants et des morts : il proposait de taxer les éditeurs des écrivaines et écrivains défunts pour abonder un fonds de soutien aux jeunes auteurs. Une source dinspiration pour les combats daujourdhui.
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