A student-led demonstration called for snap elections, bringing tens of thousands onto the streets of Belgrade on the evening of Saturday, June 28th. Around 77 people were arrested in central Belgrade, with the interior minister promising more arrests to follow.
Protestors’ central demands—elections and an end to the Serbian Progressive Party-led, pro-government tent camp near the National Assembly—were not met; instead the government promises a crackdown on the ‘Student Blockade’ movement.
Estimates range from 36,000 people (Serbian Interior Ministry figures) and 140,000 (according to NGO Archive of Public Gatherings) attending the 16-minute vigil staged in and around Slavija Square. Others complain they were prevented from joining when out-of-town trains and buses were blocked by police.
Accusing protesters of “direct invitation to civil strife,” President Vučić also demanded
that the relevant prosecutor’s offices do their job, not act ineptly and naively, the time of holding people to account is coming.
The latest confrontation follows months of protest, sometimes met with concessions from the government, including work towards installing a new administration.
