On Friday, thousands of demonstrators, predominantly students, gathered in Belgrade in anticipation of a significant weekend of anti-government protests, with many traveling long distances on foot or by bicycle.
In a concerning indication of possible unrest, the outgoing prime minister, who has already resigned in response to the protests, issued a subtle warning about the potential use of force to quell what are anticipated to be some of the largest rallies in years.
Live coverage captured scenes of enthusiastic crowds cheering and waving Serbian flags as hundreds of students made their way into Baric, a neighborhood within Belgrade. Similar groups of students were observed entering other suburbs of the city, all converging towards the city center.
These protests are projected to be the largest since the near-daily demonstrations commenced following the tragic deaths of 15 individuals due to a roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad on November 1, an incident that critics attribute to corruption linked to Vucic’s administration.
Students, educators, farmers, and laborers have united in protests, presenting a significant challenge to Vucic, who has held power as either prime minister or president for 12 years.
This week, large groups of Vucic supporters have gathered in Belgrade, setting up camp near his office in the city center. They brought tractors overnight to encircle their encampment.
In a televised statement, outgoing Prime Minister Milos Vucevic warned that law enforcement would step in if violence erupted:
“The state possesses the means of force; please do not provoke it,” he stated.
Vucic’s office announced that the president would speak to the nation at 6:00 p.m. (1700 GMT).
See More: Skynet will awaken’, ‘taking over’, ‘inevitable’. What do you think of AI?
Patriarch Porfirije, the leader of the Serbian Orthodox Church, urged “everyone, without exception, to denounce violence.”
Last December, students presented a list of demands that included the release of documents related to the railway station tragedy and accountability for those at fault.
Thirteen individuals have been charged by prosecutors in connection with the disaster, and the government has initiated an anti-corruption campaign.
