On August 18, protests erupted in several cities in Serbia, during which 19 people were arrested by the police. The protests took place in Belgrade and several other major cities, with numerous clashes between protesters and the police. These protests against the government have been ongoing for 9 months, and their main demands are to strengthen the fight against corruption, punish those responsible, and hold early elections.
The protests are mainly directed against Serbia's ruling "Progressive" Party. It can be said that these protests began after the tragedy that occurred in 2022 when a concrete canopy collapsed at the Novi Sad railway station, resulting in the deaths of 16 people. This tragedy led to widespread unrest in the country, and people began to raise broad demands. Protesters also accuse the current government of corruption and continue to fight against its decisions.
In the evenings and at night, there have been numerous road blockages, clashes with the police, and actions by protesters aimed at opposing the authorities. The protests have intensified from both sides, and they have highlighted the demands of people for their rights and the need for transparency in governance.
These protests also reflect the government's stance on personal freedoms. In January of this year, after one of the largest protests, Serbia's Prime Minister Miloš Vučević resigned. The new head of government is Professor of Medicine, Juro Makut, whose candidacy was proposed by Vučević. These political decisions are affecting the ongoing reforms and the current political situation.
Negotiations between the government and the protesters are still ongoing. The political situation in the country is intensifying, and economic issues continue to impact public rights, while the drive for political change continues.
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