• Protesters demand early elections amid claims of government corruption and authoritarianism.
• Clashes between riot police and demonstrators resulted in numerous injuries and arrests.
• President Vucic accuses protesters of inciting violence and maintains refusal for a snap election.

In Serbia, massive protests erupted on June 28, 2025, as tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied in Belgrade demanding early parliamentary elections and denouncing President Aleksandar Vucic's nearly twelve-year rule. The protests were organized primarily by university students, who have taken a leading role in the anti-government movement that has been ongoing since a disastrous construction failure killed 16 people in November 2024. Protesters filled central Slavija Square and chanted "We want elections!" as tensions with police escalated, leading to clashes marked by the use of tear gas and pepper spray, according to Le Monde, TRT Global, and Los Angeles Times.

The clashes resulted in injuries to at least 48 officers and numerous arrests among the protestors, with police indicating that about 77 people were detained in connection with the unrest. The Serbian government announced the detention of student leaders accused of inciting violence against law enforcement. Critics of the government argue that Vucic has become increasingly authoritarian, suppressing dissent and curtailing media freedoms throughout his time in office, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

In response to the violence during the protest, Vucic accused organizers of using foreign powers to destabilize Serbia and vowed that the police would enforce law and order more strictly. He claimed that the government would not consider calls for early elections until their scheduled date in 2027 and suggested that those who attack officers would face serious consequences, according to Al Jazeera and Al Jazeera.

The protests, described as the largest since the November rail disaster, were reflected in varying estimates of attendance, with authorities claiming 36,000 participants while independent observers suggested up to 140,000 demonstrators filled the streets. As protests continued into the weekend, calls for reform advocating legitimate elections and robust anti-corruption measures echoed through the diverse crowds, reinforcing the sentiment that the government is considered illegitimate by many involved, according to Le Monde, TRT Global, and Los Angeles Times.

This surge of protests has sparked widespread discussion about governance in Serbia, particularly as Vucic's government maintains relations with Russia and faces allegations of corruption in its infrastructure projects. Activists claim that ongoing suppression of dissent reflects a broader pattern of authoritarian rule likely to deepen if reforms are not implemented promptly, echoing sentiments from BBC and Al Jazeera.