VIDEO Rival demonstrations in Belgrade on the same evening. Government supporters gathered at the parliament, not far from the anti-Vucic protesters
Image from the anti-government protest in Belgrade, Wednesday, November 6, 2025. Credit: Darko Vojinovic / AP / Profimedia
Thousands of Serbian government supporters and anti-government protesters gathered in Belgrade's parliament area on Wednesday evening for two separate demonstrations, according to AFP.
November 1 marked one year since the roof of the train station in Novi Sad collapsed, a tragedy that killed 16 people and sparked a wave of national protests. Around 100,000 anti-government protesters gathered in the northern Serbian city, the country's second largest, over the weekend.
On Wednesday, thousands of government supporters took part in a demonstration outside the parliament in Belgrade. Police estimated attendance at 50,000, but AFP said it could not independently verify this information.
Serbian President Vucic supporters rally near protest over railway roof collapsehttps://t.co/L9Qjw7cSO2
— Evens Paul (@evenspl) November 5, 2025
Several ministers joined the demonstration to welcome those who had been walking for several days from Kosovo, performing nationalist songs and lighting pyrotechnics. Some came in buses from out of town.
“We have embarked on a long journey to support our president and our country,” Zarko Milovanovic, one of the demonstrators, told the crowd.
“President Vucic was always with us,” he claimed.
President Aleksandar Vucic, challenged by anti-government protesters, posted a photo of the pro-government rally and the message “Proud of Serbia” on social media.
Anti-government protest nearby
Also Wednesday evening, the student-led protesters, who gathered on an adjacent street, chanted in support of Dijana Hrka, the mother of one of the victims of the tragedy a year ago, who is on Sunday's hunger strike.
Student protester Mina Krstic told AFP the pro-government demonstration was “shameful”.
“I think it's shameful. It's a mockery for a mother who lost her son and is here asking for justice for him,” Krstic said.
Hrka became a symbol of the tragedy in which 16 people died, including her 27-year-old son. Four days ago, one year after the event in Novi Sad, the woman went on hunger strike.
Police say fewer than 3,000 people took part in the anti-government demonstration, but in the past official estimates have been lower than independent estimates.
Mnogo smo durdglavi!
Još jednom smo pošili punu support mami Dijani Hrki i rasirili se po gradu, prošetali da razbudimo uspavane mede. 🧸#flight #students #protest #blockade pic.twitter.com/dINzqL2IhE
— Zbor Kruševac (@ZborKS) November 5, 2025
