Serbia’s simmering political crisis boiled over into parallel protests today, as anti-corruption demonstrators and government loyalists faced off in Belgrade—just 24 hours after massive commemorations in Novi Sad honored the 16 victims of last year’s catastrophic train station roof failure.
In the capital, crowds converged outside Parliament to back Dijana Hrka’s hunger strike, launched yesterday amid emotional tributes in the north.
Across police lines, Vučić supporters rallied in force, defending infrastructure gains and decrying opposition “chaos.” Brief flare-ups saw pyrotechnics and projectiles exchanged, but heavy gendarmerie presence prevented a full meltdown.
The dueling scenes followed Saturday’s outpouring in Novi Sad: Over 100,000 packed boulevards, welcoming footsore student marchers with tears and hugs. At the disaster site—still cordoned off—16 minutes of silence gave way to doves soaring skyward and vows of unrelenting pressure.
President Vučić offered a rare apology for past rhetoric but stopped short of concessions, insisting investigations continue.
As rain slicked Belgrade’s streets tonight, the standoff symbolized a deeper divide: a government clinging to power versus a movement reborn from tragedy, demanding Serbia finally build on solid ground.
