The anti-government demonstrators have stated that the blockade is expected to persist for at least 22 hours. They allege that Serbia’s public broadcaster exhibits a preferential stance toward President Aleksandar Vučić.
A significant number of student demonstrators obstructed access to Serbia’s public television station in Belgrade overnight on Monday. The blockade is part of a broader wave of student-led protests that have persisted for several months. It takes place amid heightened political and social tensions in the country, with another large demonstration scheduled for the upcoming weekend.
The protest action began on Monday evening when students blocked the headquarters of Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), the country’s national public broadcaster. In response, riot police employed batons in an attempt to disperse demonstrators who were preventing access to the building. Reports indicate that at least one law enforcement officer sustained injuries during the confrontation. According to CNN-affiliated broadcaster N1, the injured individual, who was in plainclothes, was mistakenly struck by a gendarme in riot gear.
On Tuesday morning, several hundred protesters regrouped, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining the blockade for at least 22 hours. The ongoing student demonstrations, which have been occurring almost daily, began in the aftermath of a tragic railway station collapse in Novi Sad in November, which resulted in 15 fatalities. Many protesters have attributed the incident to alleged government mismanagement and insufficient oversight of renovation efforts.
The protests have posed a significant challenge to President Aleksandar Vučić and his administration. Demonstrators have criticized RTS for what they perceive as a lack of impartial reporting and an editorial stance favourable to the government. President Vučić appeared on the station’s main news bulletin on Monday night, though it remains unclear whether his appearance directly influenced the decision to blockade the broadcaster’s headquarters.
During his televised remarks, Vučić criticized the student movement and cautioned that forceful measures could be employed against participants in the upcoming weekend rally. “You will have to kill me if you want to replace me,” he stated, underscoring the gravity of the political standoff.
RTS has issued a statement condemning the blockade, while a journalist interviewing Vučić referred to the demonstrators as “a mob.” Despite the obstruction, the station was able to continue broadcasting uninterrupted, as some employees managed to access the building through an alternate entrance.
Public discontent has grown significantly since the Novi Sad incident, with many citizens supporting the students’ calls for accountability. The movement has gained widespread backing across various segments of society, with tens of thousands of people participating in protests since November.
President Vučić and other government officials have suggested that the demonstrations may be influenced by external actors seeking to destabilize the country and remove him from office. Additionally, the president has expressed concerns that the upcoming protest could escalate into violence, warning that certain participants may face legal consequences.
While the protests have largely remained peaceful, there have been reports of confrontations, including instances of opposition activists clashing with demonstrators. Vučić and his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), which have governed the country for more than a decade, have faced criticism from opposition figures and civil society groups, who argue that democratic freedoms have eroded under their leadership. Despite these tensions, Serbia continues to pursue its long-term objective of European Union integration.
