The recent wave of protests in Serbia has erupted into chaos, with the offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) set on fire during the fifth night of demonstrations. The protests initially sparked by the tragic collapse of a railway station in Novi Sad last November, which resulted in 16 deaths, have morphed into a larger anti-government movement demanding urgency in addressing corruption and calling for early elections.
In Valjevo, police deployed tear gas and stun grenades as a small faction of masked individuals attacked the SNS offices. Allegations have surfaced about police brutality and excessive force, especially in Belgrade and Novi Sad, although the Serbian interior ministry denied these claims. Human rights officials voiced concerns, urging the government to manage the situation with restraint.
Amidst the turmoil, Russian support has been extended to President Aleksandar Vučić, the pro-Moscow leader of the SNS, with a promise not to "remain unresponsive" to the unfolding events. Protesters took to the streets to express their discontent, breaking windows at the SNS headquarters and targeting the Serbian Radical Party, a coalition partner.
Despite having peaceful origins, the protests intensified with counter-demonstrations from pro-government supporters, leading to increased violence and injuries. Vučić's response on social media likened the violence to "total weakness," dismissing the protests as part of a foreign agenda to overthrow him.
As unrest continues to shake Serbia, the calls for a transparent investigation into the railway disaster have evolved into broader demands for systemic change in a nation grappling with long-standing corruption issues.
