For the third night in a row, the streets of Serbia have become the stage for a dramatic and escalating confrontation between anti-government protesters, supporters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), and police. What began as a student-led movement in response to a tragic infrastructure disaster has now boiled over into widespread violence, raising serious questions about democratic freedoms, government accountability, and the future direction of the Balkan nation.
The roots of the unrest stretch back to November 2024, when the roof of the Novi Sad railway station collapsed, killing 16 people. According to AFP and Guardian, the tragedy was widely blamed on corruption and mismanagement in state-run infrastructure projects, igniting public outrage and prompting months of mostly peaceful demonstrations. University students and opposition groups rallied around demands for accountability and transparency, with calls intensifying for President Aleksandar Vucic to call early parliamentary elections—a demand he has steadfastly refused.
This week, however, marked a dramatic escalation. On August 13 and 14, 2025, thousands of protesters returned to the streets in cities and towns across Serbia, including Belgrade, Novi Sad, Nis, Valjevo, and Pancevo. The focus of their demonstrations: the offices of the SNS, which have become both symbolic and literal battlegrounds in the fight over Serbia’s political future. As reported by AP and BIRN, protesters in Novi Sad, where the movement’s anger first erupted, smashed windows, carried away documents and furniture, and splashed paint on the party’s headquarters. Chants of “He is finished,” aimed at President Vucic, echoed through the city’s streets as demonstrators vented their frustrations.
Unlike previous months, this week’s protests were marred by violent clashes. In Belgrade, the capital, the situation quickly spiraled out of control. According to BIRN, SNS activists—described as burly men armed with fireworks, rocks, bottles, and wooden sticks—formed an outer ring of security around party premises, with police forming a second cordon. Protesters hurled fireworks and smoke bombs at SNS loyalists, who retaliated with heavier pyrotechnics. Riot police responded by firing multiple rounds of tear gas, chasing demonstrators for hours through the city’s main squares and boulevards. Videos posted on social media showed chaotic scenes: people scrambling for safety, journalists and bystanders caught in the crossfire, and riot police beating protesters.
One particularly disturbing incident occurred near the SNS office in Kneza Milosa Street, as reported by BIRN. When protesters were prevented from reaching the office, tensions flared, and SNS activists targeted journalists covering the protests, cursing and threatening them. This triggered a stampede as people ran for cover, highlighting the increasingly perilous environment for both demonstrators and reporters.
Elsewhere in the capital, opposition MP Pedja Mitrovic of the Freedom and Justice Party was attacked by “seven or eight masked hooligans.” He later recounted, “They started hitting me on the head and legs with sticks, they started harassing me, insulting me. When I realised that they had no idea what they were doing and that it could go very far, I took cover and ran away, because I saw that I was dealing with people who were obviously not in their right mind.” According to Guardian, dozens of people—both civilians and police officers—were left injured in the clashes, with at least 42 police officers hurt, including 26 in Belgrade alone.
The violence was not limited to Belgrade. In Novi Sad, three SNS offices were trashed by protesters, and police used force and tear gas to disperse crowds after the ransacking. According to BIRN, these party offices had been left unguarded, and the police only arrived after the damage was done. Similar scenes played out in other cities, though some protests passed without incident.
As the unrest spread, the government’s response became increasingly forceful. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic told the media that 37 people had been arrested by midnight on August 15, with more arrests expected. He justified the police’s use of chemical agents, stating, “The police intervened, using chemical agents where necessary, to repulse an attack on the police.” Dacic also reported that there had been gatherings at about 90 locations across the country on the evening of August 13, underscoring the nationwide scope of the protests.
President Vucic, meanwhile, appeared on pro-government Informer television to announce a crackdown on protesters, whom he accused of inciting violence and being “enemies of their own country.” He reiterated his claim—without providing evidence—that the demonstrations were organized from abroad. “The state will win,” he declared, adding, “I think it is clear they did not want peace and Gandhian protests. There will be more arrests.”
Critics, however, see the government’s actions as an attempt to stifle dissent and intimidate the opposition. Student groups accused the authorities of trying to “provoke a civil war,” pointing out that police were often seen guarding regime loyalists who attacked protesters with rocks and flares. “The authorities tried to provoke a civil war last night,” student protesters wrote on their official Instagram page, and they announced further protests for the following night. The UN’s human rights experts, as reported by Guardian, have also expressed alarm, noting a “troubling pattern of repression” including excessive police force, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests since June 28, when 140,000 demonstrators gathered in Belgrade.
International observers have voiced concern. The EU’s Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, described the reports of violence as “deeply concerning.” She emphasized, “Advancing on the EU path requires citizens can express their views freely and journalists can report without intimidation or attacks.” Serbia is a candidate for European Union membership, but the current turmoil and allegations of corruption, organized crime, and democratic backsliding threaten to complicate its accession prospects.
Despite the mounting pressure, Vucic has refused to call early elections and denies all accusations of corruption and authoritarianism. While the protests have already led to the resignation of the prime minister and the collapse of his cabinet, Vucic remains firmly at the helm of a reshuffled government. He continues to balance Serbia’s formal EU aspirations with strong ties to Russia and China, a stance that has drawn both domestic and international scrutiny.
As Serbia enters another night of demonstrations, the country stands at a crossroads. The outcome of this standoff—between a government determined to maintain its grip on power and a protest movement demanding accountability—could shape the nation’s trajectory for years to come.
