Serbia’s biggest cities were gripped by chaos on Wednesday night as anti-government protests spiralled into street battles, with police using tear gas and heavily armed riot units to push back crowds targeting ruling party offices.
Clashes erupted in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Pančevo, Šabac and other cities, with protesters hurling fireworks, bottles and stones at police, overturning bins and setting small fires. The violence came after demonstrators vandalised offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in several locations, accusing the government of corruption and authoritarianism.
In Belgrade, flares lit up the night sky near the General Staff building as police in full riot gear blocked attempts to reach SNS headquarters, forcing protesters back toward Slavija Square. In Novi Sad, masked demonstrators smashed windows at a local SNS branch and reportedly entered the premises, prompting a rapid police deployment.
Interior Minister Ivica Dačić called the unrest “an attack on the state,” saying at least five police officers were injured and 14 people detained. He rejected claims that police selectively protected SNS loyalists, insisting: “Police would protect any political party under threat.”
But opposition figures and analysts accused the authorities of turning a blind eye to violence by ruling party supporters. “Instead of stopping illegal acts by party loyalists, police stood by and ensured they could commit crimes without interference,” said Predrag Petrović of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy.
SNS vice president Miloš Vučević described the attacks on party offices as “fascism in action” and claimed protesters were incited by opposition-linked media.
President Aleksandar Vučić said he had personally contacted prosecutors to demand swift action. Belgrade’s chief prosecutor, Nenad Stefanović, ordered the immediate identification and arrest of all suspects accused of assaulting police officers.
The protests mark the latest escalation in weeks of political unrest in Serbia, with both the government and opposition blaming each other for the growing violence.