Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to participate in mass protests in Belgrade today, marking a significant escalation in demonstrations against Serbia’s President, Aleksandar Vučić, as protests enter their fourth month.

This gathering is anticipated to be the largest in Serbia since the fall of Slobodan Milošević in October 2000, as students and citizens from across the nation converge on the capital.

In central Belgrade, tractors requisitioned by the government were lined around the Presidential Palace, creating a barricade-like appearance.

Nearby, a city park has reportedly been occupied by a diverse group including individuals claiming to represent students and veterans of the Yugoslav wars, amid tensions regarding the ongoing protests and blockades of Serbian universities.

Analysts indicate that the government may deploy its most loyal supporters against the demonstrators, which could further incite mobilization.

Concerns have been raised about the loyalty of security forces amidst the unrest, prompting the government to implement a sudden pay increase for employees of the Ministry of Interior.

President Vučić, who has been in power since 2014, has resorted to increasingly aggressive rhetoric, warning that those committing acts of violence will face severe consequences.

These warnings, however, seem to have failed to dissuade protesters who are demanding transparency regarding a deadly roof collapse incident at the renovated railway station in Novi Sad that resulted in 15 fatalities on November 1, 2023. The discontent has extended beyond this tragedy, with demonstrators calling attention to pervasive government corruption.

Local students have accused the President of spreading misinformation via social media, claiming that protests have involved aggression towards law enforcement—allegations they strongly deny.

The ongoing movement has notably distanced itself from traditional opposition parties, complicating the political landscape.

In a bid to address public grievances, Vučić dismissed his Prime Minister, Miloš Vučević, following incidents of violence linked to members of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party.

Since that time, Vučić has struggled to regain authority in the face of widespread student-led protests, characterized by a lack of a central leadership.

The government’s efforts to quell the unrest include increasing law enforcement salaries, a move described as a tactic to ensure loyalty among security personnel.

Amidst the protests, some observers speculate on the potential for forming a transitional government focused on organizing free elections as anger continues to build.

Vučić’s administration retains a degree of support from several European capitals, including Berlin and Paris, including tacit backing from some EU institutions despite calls from certain political groups within the European Parliament to align more closely with the protesters’ demands.

On the international front, President Vučić enjoys warm ties with the United States, emphasized by a recent visit from Donald Trump Jr., following investment agreements linked to major real estate projects in Belgrade.

Additionally, Serbia has maintained a relationship with Russia, showing reluctance to impose EU sanctions despite its candidate status in the bloc since 2012. Public relationships with Russian leadership have included statements of support for Vučić’s regime.

As the protests evolve, the landscape of Serbian politics remains highly charged, with citizens engaging in sustained demands for accountability and reform.