Serbian gendarmerie officers block a bridge to separate anti-government protesters, front, and supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)
Serbian gendarmerie officers block a street to seperate anti-government protesters and supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)
Serbian gendarmerie officers take positions on a street to separate anti-government protesters and supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)
Serbia’s opposing camps hold parallel rallies, reflecting deep political crisis
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) 鈥 Anti-government protesters and supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic held parallel rallies throughout Serbia on Saturday, reflecting a deep political crisis in the Balkan country following more than 10 months of protests against the populist government.
Serbian gendarmerie officers block a bridge to separate anti-government protesters, front, and supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) 鈥 Anti-government protesters and supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic held parallel rallies throughout Serbia on Saturday, reflecting a deep political crisis in the Balkan country following more than 10 months of protests against the populist government.
Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party recently started organizing its own demonstrations to counter persistent student-led protests that have on power in Serbia.
No major incidents were reported at the rallies held in a number of cities and towns with police separating the two camps. Brief scuffles erupted in the capital, Belgrade, when riot police pushed away anti-government protesters as Vucic joined his supporters in a show of confidence.
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Anti-government protesters and supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic held parallel rallies throughout Serbia on Saturday. No major incidents were reported as rallies took place in a number of cities and towns, with police separating the two camps. (Sept. 13, 2025)
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Vucic said that 鈥減eople want to live normally, they don’t want to be harassed and want to be free.鈥
Vucic has refused a student demand to call an early parliamentary election. He has instead stepped up , which have drawn hundreds of thousands of people in the past months. More than 100 have been dismissed, while police have faced against peaceful demonstrators.
Vucic has accused student-led protesters of being 鈥渢errorists鈥 who are working against their country under orders from the West. He hasn’t offered any evidence for such claims.
The protests first started in November last year after at a renovated train station in the northern city of Novi Sad killed 16 people. It ignited a nationwide movement seeking justice for the victims and blaming corruption-fueled negligence for the tragedy.
Dubbed 'The power of unity,' the parade is designed to present Serbia鈥檚 military capabilities on the occasion of a recently-established national holiday. The show will take place amid deep political divisions and the biggest wave of anti-government protests in years in the Balkan country. (Sept. 13, 2025)
