site.btaSerbian President Calls for Order and Peace after More than Five Months of Protests

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called on the country’s institutions to restore order and peace after more than five months of nationwide protests organized mainly by university students. The anti-corruption protests were sparked by the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, which claimed 16 lives.

Vucic gave a speech in Belgrade on Saturday evening at the height of a three-day rally mottoed “We Will Not Give Up on Serbia”. He raised five demands, most notably urging prosecutors to “start relevant procedures within their powers and take all other measures prescribed by the law to establish peace and order in this country”.

One of Vucic’s demands is for the national television, as an institution which is important for national security, to be “returned to the citizens because it has been one of the key participants in the colour revolution”.

Vucic wants the authorities to ascertain the legal liability of all people involved in vandalism and assaults on citizens who were holding peaceful assemblies, and most importantly, to identify and punish the perpetrators, instigators and accomplices in “the violent assaults against citizens peacefully assembled in Nis on March 21”. He was referring to protests against a gathering of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party in the southeastern town, where the mayor and other officials and party activists were pelted with eggs.

Third, the President insists that any university student and school-goer willing to attend studies should be allowed to do so. He called for identifying the perpetrators, instigators and accomplices in encroachments on vital state institutions and facilities and for preventing such actions in the future. Finally, Vucic urged a stop to “any acts which randomly and unlawfully paralyze economic activity and prevent citizens from performing their routines in a normal way”.

He thanked his supporters gathered in front of the Serbian Parliament in Belgrade, and put the size of the crowd at over 145,000. Enthusiasts shouted “Victory” and “Aco the Serb” (“Aco” is a form of “Aleksandar”, the personal name of the Serbian President).

Vucic said the nation needs new energy and a clear plan until 2035, which is why a new popular movement is being launched. “We have many wonderful people in all parties. But we need a new plan, and so this movement is created. We have educated people with us to build the movement, but it is a movement of the people. Every worker, farmer, housewife, honest person who struggles for our country is welcome to join it. That is, you are all welcome to join it.”

He said the new movement should remind the people of the most important values of Serbian society and initiate a discussion on the legacy to be passed on to the future generations.

The central part of Belgrade reverberated with folk songs from many regions of Serbia throughout the whole day on Saturday. Food, drinks and amusements were offered in marquees put up on the occasion.

Police maintained security during the rally. Security barriers were in place.

There was a stall where Vucic supporters could receive information and apply for membership of the new popular movement. They could vote for one of seven proposals for a name for the movement or make a proposal of their own.

The President’s speech was followed by a fireworks display.