Over 300,000 People In Serbia Held Its Biggest Anti-Government Protest In History Against Corruption

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Belgrade, Serbia's capital, to protest against the government on Saturday, March 15, in what is believed to be the country's largest ever demonstration to date.

The planned demonstration, known as “15 for 15,” capped more than four months of student-led protests against President Aleksandar Vučić and his Serbian Progressive Party.

The protests first began after a railway station roof collapsed in Novi Sad in November 2024, killing 15 people, aged between six and 74.

Protesters said the accident had happened due to sloppy renovation work by a Chinese company as a result of the government cutting corners.

The protests have garnered widespread support from workers across all sectors, including professors and lawyers, who held a one week strike in solidarity.

Students are demanding greater accountability and transparency over the disaster, calling for the government to implement the rule of law, end corruption and ensure government officials are held accountable for their actions.

While the government reported 107,000 attendees in the latest protest, independent NGOs estimated up to 325,000 participants took part.

Opposition parties and leaders were also present to support the movement.

Large crowds flooded over iconic locations in Belgrade, including Prince Mihajlo's statue, the National Museum, Students' Square and the National Assembly.

"We just want a country that works," Jana Vasic, a law student at the protest, told the BBC. "We want institutions that do their jobs properly. We don't care what party is in power. But we need a country that works, not one where you don't get justice for more than four months."

In response to the protest, Vučić blamed opposition parties, calling the demonstration an “imported revolution” supported by Western intelligence agencies.

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