Belgrade's Slavija protest draws over 100,000 demanding early elections
On 23 May 2026 thousands of citizens gathered at Slavija Square in Belgrade after a call from the “Students in blockade” movement. The protest, part of the “Students win” campaign, demanded the president call extraordinary parliamentary elections and broader democratisation of Serbia. Organisers announced a timetable of four gathering points across the city, with the main rally scheduled for 18:00‑20:00 at Slavija.
Attendance estimates varied: police reported 34 300 participants, while the independent Archive of Public Gatherings said video footage suggested more than 100 000 people were present, making it one of the largest student rallies in recent Serbian history. Police deployed heavily, blocked access to the nearby Pioneer Park (“Ćacilend”), and announced a halt to all railway traffic after anonymous bomb‑threat reports. A counter‑rally supporting President Aleksandar Vučić was also staged nearby.
The protest follows months of university blockades triggered by the November 2024 Novi Sad railway‑platform collapse that killed 16 people. Organisers say the current demonstration renews pressure on the government to schedule early elections, while authorities have warned of potential incidents and promised investigations into any violence.