Serbia’s Antigovernment Revolt Escalates as Protesters Storm Party Offices

For the third night in a row, thousands of people poured into the streets across Serbia, venting anger at President Aleksandar Vucic and demanding early elections. The protests, which started in Novi Sad more than nine months ago, reached a new peak Thursday when demonstrators smashed windows and stormed the local headquarters of Vucic’s ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

Inside, they tossed furniture into the street, splashed paint across the entrance, and carried off party documents.

In Belgrade, the capital, chaos spilled onto a major boulevard as protesters and government supporters hurled flares and firecrackers at each other. Police responded with tear gas in multiple locations to hold the groups apart.

Similar scenes played out in towns across the country. Vucic struck a defiant tone on pro-government television, promising a crackdown.

Interior Minister Ivica Dacic confirmed 47 arrests from Wednesday night’s clashes, reporting around 80 injured civilians and 27 injured police officers.

The unrest traces back to November, when a train station canopy collapse in Novi Sad killed 16 people, sparking fury over alleged corruption in state infrastructure projects. Since then, the student-led protests have spread nationwide, rattling Vucic’s presidency.

The European Union has voiced alarm. Marta Kos, the EU’s Commissioner for Enlargement, said on X that the violence was “deeply concerning.” She warned that Serbia’s path to joining the EU depends on protecting free expression and ensuring journalists can report without fear.

Vucic, however, has dismissed opposition claims that corruption and organized crime have flourished under his watch.