Belgrade, Serbia – Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s supporters gathered in Belgrade for a rally amidst ongoing unrest in the country. Approximately 55,000 people assembled in front of the National Assembly, with some attendees traveling from neighboring nations. This turnout, although substantial, was notably smaller than the previous month’s massive anti-government protest.

The unrest in Serbia began in November following a tragic incident at a railway station in Novi Sad, which resulted in the death of 15 individuals. The collapse of the station’s canopy fueled public outrage, with many citizens attributing the disaster to alleged corruption and negligence by Vucic’s Progressive Party.

President Vucic promoted the rally as the launch of a “Movement for the People and the State,” aiming to protect Serbia from destabilizing forces. In his address at the event, he urged prosecutors to restore order and peace, accusing student-led protests of endangering the country’s stability. Vucic also criticized the national broadcaster, RTS, labeling it as a significant player in a purported “colour revolution.”

The Novi Sad incident last November highlighted concerns about the Progressive Party’s governance, particularly in relation to infrastructure projects like the Belgrade-Budapest high-speed railway. Critics raised issues of corruption and opaque procurement practices, arguing that these practices jeopardized public safety while benefiting select contractors.

Despite facing resignations and escalating protests, Vucic maintained his position, prompting continued demonstrations. Last month, hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered in Belgrade, marking one of the largest demonstrations in Serbia’s history. The growing dissent underscores deep-seated frustrations among the Serbian population regarding government accountability and transparency.