Thousands Rally in Serbia's Capital Belgrade for President Vucic

Thousands of supporters from Serbia, Kosovo, and Bosnia arrived by bus in Belgrade on Saturday for a rally organized in support of President Aleksandar Vucic, whose leadership has faced mounting pressure from months of anti-government demonstrations.

Main streets were closed to traffic, and food and drink stalls lined the area near parliament as crowds gathered. The event was widely seen as Vucic’s response to a massive opposition protest on March 15, when over 100,000 people marched in one of the largest demonstrations in decades.

Serbia has been gripped by unrest since November, when the collapse of a train station roof in Novi Sad killed 16 people, sparking widespread accusations of corruption and negligence. The protests have since expanded, drawing students, teachers, and farmers into a broad movement challenging Vucic, a populist leader who has held power for 12 years as either prime minister or president.

"Colored Revolution is Over," Vucic Declares

Addressing supporters in front of parliament, Vucic dismissed the opposition movement, declaring, "The colored revolution is over. They can march as much as they want, but nothing will come of it."

The rally also served to promote a new political movement led by Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), which is expected to include other parties from the ruling coalition. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban voiced his support in a video message, stating, "Serbian patriots can count on Hungarian patriots."

Tensions flared between pro-government and anti-government groups throughout the day. In Novi Pazar, a predominantly Muslim region, activists attempted to block buses carrying Vucic supporters. In Belgrade, protesters threw eggs at arriving buses, prompting police intervention.

Vucic Accuses Foreign Powers of Meddling

Vucic used the rally to reinforce his claim that the protests are backed by foreign actors seeking to destabilize Serbia. "The attack came from abroad," he told the crowd. "We will not allow those from outside and inside Serbia to destroy our state."

Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, who faces charges in Bosnia over his separatist policies, also spoke, praising Vucic as "the only man who can hold together a strong and powerful Serbia."

The March 15 opposition protest drew an estimated 275,000 to 325,000 people—one of the largest demonstrations in Serbia’s history. Vucic has repeatedly accused protesters of being paid by "foreign intelligence agencies" and attempting to undermine the country.

During his speech, Vucic announced plans for a new political initiative aimed at "bringing new energy" to Serbia. "Every worker, every farmer is welcome," he said. "Anyone who earns an honest living and fights for their children and country is welcome."

Critics, however, accuse Vucic and the SNS of eroding democratic freedoms in a country that remains an EU candidate. Despite the backlash, the president remains defiant, vowing to maintain control amid what he calls "very unstable times."