site.btaCounter-Protest Demonstrations Take Place in Dozens of Settlements in Serbia

Counter-Protest Demonstrations Take Place in Dozens of Settlements in Serbia
Counter-Protest Demonstrations Take Place in Dozens of Settlements in Serbia
Serbian gendarmerie officers separate supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and anti-government protesters during a protest in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Heeding the call of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), counter-protests were held in dozens of settlements across Serbia on Wednesday against the ongoing anti-government demonstrations and blockades, which have lasted for more than 9 months. According to Interior Minister Ivica Dacic, counter-protests took place in a total of 49 settlements.

The anti-government rallies that the Wednesday demonstrations decried, are being organized by students following a tragedy in Novi Sad, where last year 16 people died as a train station canopy collapsed.

Earlier on Wednesday, the chairman of SNS and former Prime Minister of Serbia, Milos Vucevic, urged people to join the counter-protest, while Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali announced that “there is no politics in such gatherings”. The expectation was for some 20,000 people to support "the return to a normal rhythm of life".

Some of the first counter-protesters gathered in the evening in Leskovac, Zrenjanin, Pancevo, and other towns in the northern and eastern parts of the country. Gatherings were announced in 50 settlements in Serbia, including 6 large cities. There were counter-protest walk in Pozarevac, Vranje, Bor, Sid, Bujanovac, Odzaci, Stara Pazova, Kovin, Beocin, Srbobran, Zabalj, Kikinda, Apatin, and Sombor.

The counter-protesters carried the Serbian national flag and claimed that they “want a normal life, to work, study, and move around freely.” The slogans on the banners during the marches included messages such as: “We will not give up on Serbia,” “We want to work,” “I want to walk freely,” as well as messages in support of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

The counter-protests were guarded by police and went without incidents.  

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By 14:41 on 21.08.2025 Today`s news

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