When the organized demonstrations broke out, clashes followed. Masked men threw stones, bottles and firecrackers at the police, who responded with tear gas. Several people were reportedly arrested.
Protests against the government and corruption in the country have been recurring since November 2025, when 16 people died in a roof collapse at a train station in the city of Novi Sad. What were initially calls for a transparent investigation have developed into demands for new elections.
President Aleksandar Vucic has raised the issue of new elections on several occasions, and on Thursday he said they could be held this fall. The current term ends in 2027.
According to the police, nearly 35,000 people took part in the demonstrations.
