Serbia protests escalate as students demand Vučić resignation

Serbia protests intensify as students clash with police in Novi Sad, demanding President Vučić’s resignation and early elections amid rising unrest. Thousands of protesters, led by university students, took to the streets of Novi Sad demanding the resignation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and calling for early elections. The demonstrations, which erupted on Friday, September 5, escalated into clashes between students and police outside the Faculty of Philosophy at Novi Sad University.

Police Clash With Students in Novi Sad

To disperse the growing crowd, police used tear gas and stun grenades, triggering chaos across the campus area. Demonstrators carried placards with bold messages such as “We don’t want blockades, we want elections” and “Students’ urgent demand: announce elections now.”

President Vučić’s Response

In a late-night televised address, President Vučić confirmed that 11 police officers were injured in the unrest but gave no details on the number of injured protesters. He defended the government’s stance, declaring:

“We will not allow the destruction of state institutions. Serbia is a strong and responsible nation.”

The president further alleged that foreign intelligence agencies were fueling the anti-government movement. He also announced that his supporters will hold nationwide rallies on Sunday as a counter-response.

Background: Growing Public Anger Over Corruption

Public frustration with the government has been building for months. In November last year, a tragic incident at an under-construction railway station claimed 16 lives after the roof collapsed. Citizens blamed corruption, negligence, and mismanagement in infrastructure projects for the disaster, sparking nationwide anger.

Since then, demonstrations have only intensified, with frequent clashes between citizens and police. On August 13, violent confrontations left many protesters and officers injured, further highlighting the fragile political climate.

Why the Protests Matter

The protests in Serbia reflect a growing demand for transparency, accountability, and democratic reforms. Students have become the face of the movement, symbolizing a generational push for change. With pressure mounting both domestically and internationally, the coming weeks may decide whether Vučić can withstand the political storm or if Serbia moves toward early elections.