Escalating Protests in Serbia: Ruling Party Offices Ablaze Amid Unrest

Mon Oct 20 2025 16:28:05 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Protests against the Serbian government intensify, with the ruling party's headquarters set on fire, as citizens demand accountability and early elections.

Following the tragic railway collapse in Novi Sad, protests have erupted across Serbia, culminating in violence as demonstrators clash with police, leading to the burning of the ruling party's offices and calls for government accountability.

The political landscape in Serbia has grown increasingly volatile as the offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) were set ablaze during ongoing protests demanding government accountability and early elections. This latest unrest marks the fifth consecutive night of demonstrations, predominantly focused in key cities such as Valjevo and the capital, Belgrade.

Images from the protests reveal fierce clashes between protestors and riot police, with law enforcement reportedly deploying stun grenades and tear gas in response to aggressive actions from a small faction of masked protesters. Allegations surrounding excessive police force and brutality have surfaced, with the Serbian interior ministry pushing back against these claims.

The spark for such widespread demonstrations traces back to a catastrophic railway station collapse in Novi Sad in November 2022, which resulted in 16 fatalities. Many citizens have pointed fingers at corruption and negligence within President Aleksandar Vučić’s administration, leading to a surge of anti-corruption protests that in previous weeks had remained largely peaceful.

However, tension escalated drastically when pro-government supporters countered the protestors. Riot police units have since remained on high alert throughout multiple Serbian cities, as anti-government sentiments continue to grow against Vučić, who has rejected calls for early elections and labeled the protests as part of a foreign agenda against his regime.

Amidst the chaos, Russia has voiced its allegiance to President Vučić, emphasizing its commitment to support him during these tumultuous times. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the situation in Serbia warranted their response and asserted that local police were behaving lawfully while facing violent protests.

Amid ongoing injuries reported at demonstrations, Michael O’Flaherty, the Commissioner for Human Rights from the Council of Europe, expressed grave concerns about the police's disproportionate use of force. He urged Serbian authorities to cease arbitrary arrests and to take steps to calm the disorder.

The situation continues to develop as protests remain a significant outlet for public dissent, fueled by a demand for both transparency and an end to Vučić's lengthy rule, which has persisted for over 12 years.