Massive Pro-Government Rally in Serbia Amid Ongoing Unrest

Tens of thousands rallied in support of President Vucic in Serbia's capital, Belgrade, after a series of protests stemming from a tragic incident in Novi Sad. While Vucic promoted unity and peace, the attendance fell short of recent anti-government gatherings.

Tens of thousands of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's supporters converged in Belgrade, marking a significant gathering in a city engulfed by months of civil unrest. According to an independent monitoring organization, approximately 55,000 individuals filled the space in front of the National Assembly. Although some attendees traveled from neighboring regions, this turnout paled in comparison to last month’s major anti-government protest.

The public discontent in Serbia ignited in November following the disastrous collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad that tragically resulted in 15 fatalities. Many Serbs expressed outrage over what they perceived as corruption and negligence by Vucic’s ruling Progressive Party.

Promoting the rally as the inception of a "Movement for the People and the State," Vucic declared his intent to safeguard Serbia from supposed threats aimed at destabilizing the nation. During his speech, he urged prosecutors to act decisively to maintain law and order and accused protesting students of compromising Serbia's tranquility, suggesting they were financially backed by "foreign intelligence agencies" without elaborating on the allegations.

Furthering his critique, Vucic condemned the national broadcaster RTS, labeling it as a primary actor in a purported "colour revolution." Despite the rally’s vibrant display of support, the backdrop of unrest looms large, especially following last month’s protests, which reportedly drew upwards of 325,000 people — making it a historic event in Serbian activism.

The aftermath of the Novi Sad disaster spurred claims that corruption under Vucic’s administration contributed to heightened safety risks on major infrastructure projects, leading to public frustration that manifested in slogans like "corruption kills." As tensions continue to mount, calls for accountability and transparency grow louder amid the government’s resistance to cede any ground.