Violent Clashes Break Out Between Serbian Government Supporters and Protesters

Opponents and supporters of the Serbian government clashed for a second day Wednesday during the ongoing anti-government protests, marking an escalation of tensions after nine months of uninterrupted demonstrations against populist President Aleksandar Vučić, the Associated Press reported. 

On Wednesday, supporters of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in the northern city of Novi Sad threw flares at anti-government protesters outside SNS offices. Protesters then smashed office windows as riot police were deployed to guard the building. 

Authorities said at least one policeman was injured and called for the “return of law and order.” 

Wednesday’s clashes came a day after a similar incident took place in the northern Serbian town of Vrbas that injured 50 people, including 16 police officers, AP wrote separately. 

Meanwhile, similar skirmishes and demonstrations took place in other parts of the country this week, including the northern cities of Novi Sad and Bačka Palanka, and in the capital, Belgrade. 

Police Commissioner Director Dragan Vasiljević blamed demonstrators for the violence, while protesters countered that government supporters instigated the attacks, noted Balkan Insight.   

The student-led protests in Serbia erupted in November after a train station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad and killed 16 people, sparking fury over state corruption in procurement. 

Demonstrations have grown since then, with hundreds of thousands of people demanding that Vučić step down and schedule an early parliamentary election.  

Meanwhile, the president’s supporters have started taking part in counter-demonstrations, fueling fears of violence. 

Serbia is seeking European Union membership, but Vučić has fostered close ties with Russia and China and has been accused of curbing democratic freedom since taking power 13 years ago.