President Aleksandar Vucic has asserted that a “civil war” will not be permitted and that the state’s power surpasses all, “even with foreign support.”
Following the arson of Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) offices, new confrontations have erupted between anti-government protesters and police in Serbia. President Aleksandar Vucic has denounced the unrest, suggesting it is being instigated by external forces.
Renewed clashes began on Wednesday in Valjevo, approximately 100km west of Belgrade, after videos circulated online depicting police using force against demonstrators. These videos prompted rallies in several cities, with opposition groups accusing authorities of using excessive force.
Online footage showed masked protesters throwing flares and stones at vacant SNS offices, shattering windows before fires ignited inside. Firefighters responded and extinguished the flames.
Riot police were deployed in Belgrade and other cities on Saturday night in response to videos showing protesters throwing flares at officers and police vehicles.
Ni žandarima nije jasno zašto se mili narod ne pomera i ne beži. Valjevo 26 cm
— Ivan Stijepović (@stijepovic_i)
Vucic described the violence as “an expression of total weakness” and vowed to “punish the bullies.” He stated in a video message on Saturday that the unrest reveals the true intentions of the protesters, whose “nervousness and hysteria are growing, and the violence is becoming more obvious, because they have nothing left to offer,”. He also added that,“The time of accountability has come, and everyone who burned and destroyed will be held responsible and punished for their crimes.”
He further stated that “no civil war” would be allowed and that “no one is stronger than the state, even with foreign support.” Earlier in the week, Vucic claimed that the unrest in Serbia was largely fueled by external actors, drawing comparisons to the “color revolutions” seen in other countries. In a related statement, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto alleged that the European Union is attempting to overthrow the governments of Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia because they prioritize national interests over alignment with Brussels.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry stated that the unrest has “far exceeded civilized protest,” adding that Moscow ”cannot remain unresponsive” to events in “brotherly Serbia” and expressed confidence in the restoration of stability.
Student-led protests initially erupted in 2024 following a railway station roof collapse in Novi Sad that resulted in 16 fatalities. Protesters alleged government corruption and demanded early elections.