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Thousands of citizens gathered in Serbia's capital, Belgrade, to demand the resignation of President Aleksandar Vučić. The protest, held at Slavija Square in the city center, saw demonstrators calling for early elections and an end to Vučić's more than ten-year tenure.

The situation escalated as police attempted to disperse the crowd, deploying tear gas and stun grenades. Protesters retaliated, setting fire to trash bins and engaging in confrontations with law enforcement.

President Agrees to Early Elections

In response to the mounting pressure, President Aleksandar Vučić announced his decision to hold early parliamentary elections this autumn. This will mark the fifth election in Serbia over the past decade, and the fourth to be held ahead of schedule.

Roots of the Discontent

The current wave of protests reportedly began about eighteen months ago, following a tragic incident at a railway station in Novi Sad where a canopy collapse resulted in 16 fatalities. Youth movements are at the forefront of these demonstrations, voicing their opposition to corruption and what they perceive as ineffective governance.

Estimates of the crowd size varied significantly. Police reported approximately 34,300 people gathered in the square and adjacent streets. However, the organization "Archive," which monitors public gatherings, estimated the turnout to be around 100,000.