Serbia protests turned violent in Belgrade on Saturday as police fired tear gas at crowds demanding early elections and President Aleksandar Vucic’s exit.
Tens of thousands gathered at Slavija Square before clashes broke out near the presidency building and Belgrade city hall, according to Reuters.
Riot police deployed tear gas as anti-government protesters clashed in Belgrade, where thousands gathered to demand elections and reform https://t.co/dauXTzEvAz pic.twitter.com/NsVoIyfK3n
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 23, 2026Serbia, whose capital is Belgrade, sits in Southeast Europe. Police estimated the crowd at 34,300, while the Archive of Public Gatherings put it near 100,000.
Read: Serbian Students Clash With Police in Belgrade Protest
Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said police detained 23 people, Tanjug news agency reported. He said some officers were injured, but gave no full injury count.
The protests began after a railway station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, killing 16 people. Protesters blame corruption and mismanagement for the disaster.
Vucic and his allies deny corruption allegations. They say authorities have acted against those responsible for the collapse.
