Serbian leader promising ‘decisive action’ against protests

Anti-government riots turned violent this week, with President Aleksandar Vucic claiming they are orchestrated from abroad

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has pledged to take tough measures to restore order after anti-government protests across the country turned violent this week.

On Saturday, demonstrators in the western town of Valjevo set fire to the offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) following three days of clashes with riot police. Earlier in the week, protesters in Novi Sad stormed and damaged an SNS headquarters, leaving over 60 people injured.

In a televised address on Sunday, Vucic accused the rioters of “pure terrorism” and suggested the protests were orchestrated from abroad.

”Our country is in grave danger… Unless we undertake tougher steps it is a question of days when [the protesters] will kill someone,” Vucic warned.

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Protests in Serbia first broke out in 2024 after a railway station roof collapsed in Novi Sad, killing 16 people. Demonstrators alleged government corruption and demanded early elections.

Vucic has repeatedly suggested the violence is an attempt at regime change, a view also shared by Russia. The Kremlin said in June that anti-government demonstrations in Serbia could be an attempted “color revolution,” and expressed confidence that the Serbian leadership could restore calm. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov urged Western nations to refrain from interfering in Serbia’s domestic affairs.

Serbia is formally seeking EU membership. However, Vucic has maintained historically strong ties with Moscow, relying on it for discounted natural gas supplies.

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EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos earlier this week called the reports of violence “deeply concerning.” Brussels has suggested that the Belgrade’s handling of the unrest could impact Serbia’s path to EU accession.