Belgrade: Thousands of people arrived in Belgrade on Saturday from across Serbia, Kosovo, and Bosnia to take part in a large pro-government rally in support of President Aleksandar Vucic. The event, organized by the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), comes as Vucic faces increasing pressure from a months-long wave of anti-corruption protests.
Buses carried supporters into the capital, where central streets were closed to traffic. Stands offering fast food and drinks were set up near the Serbian parliament building, creating a festive atmosphere ahead of the speeches.
The rally is widely seen as a direct response to a massive anti-government demonstration held on March 15, which drew over 100,000 participants—the largest protest in Serbia in decades.
The protest movement gained momentum following the deadly collapse of a railway station roof, which killed 16 people and sparked widespread outrage. Critics of the government have accused authorities of systemic corruption and negligence, fueling public anger and expanding the demonstrations to include students, teachers, and farmers.
Addressing the crowd outside the parliament, President Vucic dismissed the protest movement: “The coloured revolution is over,” he declared. “They can walk as much as they wish, but nothing will come out of that.”
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Saturday’s rally also served to promote a new political movement spearheaded by the SNS, expected to bring together members of the ruling coalition under a unified banner. While the new platform has yet to be officially launched, its formation is seen as a strategic move by Vucic to consolidate his political base.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban made a virtual appearance at the event, offering his support. “Serbian patriots can count on Hungarian patriots,” Orban said via video link.
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Tensions between rival camps flared during the day. In Novi Pazar—a city with a Muslim majority—anti-government activists reportedly attempted to block buses transporting Vucic’s supporters. In Belgrade, opposition demonstrators tried to obstruct the arrival of buses into the city center, throwing eggs and prompting a police response.
As Serbia’s political landscape grows increasingly polarized, both sides show no signs of backing down, with rallies and counter-rallies likely to continue in the weeks ahead.
