Clashes erupted between Serbian anti-government protesters and supporters for a second day on August 13 in a major escalation after more than nine months of persistent demonstrations against autocratic President Aleksandar Vucic.

Belgrade

Serbia has experienced a second day of clashes between anti-government protesters and supporters of the ruling party. In Novi Sad, confrontations escalated as flares were thrown and windows at the ruling party's offices were smashed, prompting police intervention. In Belgrade, authorities blocked protesters from approaching the parliament, while supporters of President Vucic gathered nearby.

The protests began after the collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy, which killed 16 people and became a symbol of alleged government corruption. Demonstrators, led by students, are demanding a transparent investigation and early elections. President Vucic has refused to step down, attributing the protests to foreign interference.

Clashes erupt in Serbia for a second day at anti-government protests

Flares and fireworks erupt in the streets right next to these anti-government protesters. Wednesday night saw intense clashes between pro-government supporters and anti-corruption protesters in Serbia. In the country's second largest city, Novi Sad, the president's supporters repeatedly hurled flares at protesters. Some protesters then smashed windows at the ruling political party's offices, while riot police were deployed to defuse the clashes. Now, more than ever, we need to listen to each other, to understand each other. The protesters have done horrible things in Novi Sad today. They are still active. But when you show your will to seek peace and discipline, you always win. And Serbia will win. In Belgrade, police blocked anti-government protesters from marching near the parliament building while supporters of Vucic rallied there. Regular protests have rocked Serbia for more than nine months following the collapse of the canopy of the Novi Sad railway station, which killed 16 people in November last year. The infrastructure failure quickly became a symbol for the endemic corruption plaguing Serbia's government, and a protest movement led by students spread throughout the Balkan nation. Some rallies have attracted hundreds of thousands of people who are demanding a transparent investigation into the tragedy, and calling for early elections to end Vucic's eight-year-long presidency. Vucic has repeatedly rejected stepping down, and has claimed that the protests are part of a foreign plot to overthrow his government.

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