Last night, mass rallies under the slogan “Citizens against the blockades“ were held in Serbia in 167 towns, including Belgrade, Novi Sad and Nis, Serbian national television RTS reported, BTA reports.
According to data from the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs, a total of about 157,000 people participated in the events. Among them were Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Prime Minister Đuro Matsut, Foreign Minister Marko Đurić and Education Minister Dejan Vuk Stanković.
A wave of almost daily protests led by students has swept the country since the collapse of the canopy at the Novi Sad train station on 1 November 2024, which killed 16 people. Protesters blame corruption practices that led to shoddy repairs and demand that those responsible be punished and that early parliamentary elections be held. Clashes between demonstrators and police and detentions have been recorded during the protests.
The rallies last night were organized by the organization “Center for Public Stability“ and are a continuation of counter-protests that began about five weeks ago. In parallel, 22 more rallies were held in different places in the country with about 4,000 participants. These events were not announced in advance and no clashes or disturbances were recorded.
President Vučić told local media that "there is no doubt that the people are victims of the blockades" of faculties in Serbia. He attended the rally in Obrenovac and stressed that the country had overcome "the most difficult times".
In Belgrade, citizens gathered in front of the RTS building with demands for the media, including the release of "revolutionary bandits", a change of leadership and the assumption of responsibility by all those involved in the blockades and disruption of the normal work of the national television. The protesters gave a deadline of 30 days to fulfill their demands and threatened to continue the protests until the RTS leadership is completely replaced.
“It is not Serbian to remain silent and the people will no longer remain silent“, declared the gathered citizens.