Serbia's ruling party, the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), has called on its supporters to attend rallies in dozens of cities across the country, in response to ongoing anti-government protests and growing civil unrest.

The rallies come amid mounting tensions following a week of nightly clashes between riot police, anti-government demonstrators and pro-government groups. Protesters have accused police of brutality, including reports of mistreatment of girls and minors in custody. The SNS offices in several cities have been vandalised or set on fire during the unrest.

SNS president Milos Vucevic on August 20 urged citizens to gather in defence of “normal life” and to oppose the street blockades that have brought parts of Serbia to a standstill over the past nine months. “I believe the message will be clear: enough with the blockades. People want their lives back,” Vucevic said.

The SNS branch in Požarevac announced a march scheduled for 6 p.m. local time on August 20, describing it as a legal and peaceful gathering. Similar events are planned in at least 50 towns and cities, including Vranje, Bečej and Leskovac, according to local media reports.

Finance Minister Sinisa Mali said more than 20,000 people were expected to attend. “These are not political gatherings,” Mali told TV Informer. “They are about defending freedom, stability, education – values that are under threat from these blockades.”

President Aleksandar Vucic, who visited a damaged SNS office in Belgrade’s Palilula district on August 20, said there was a difference in opposing “blockades” rather than the “blockaders”.

“We are never against the people,” Vucic said. “But we will begin changing our tactics. Some measures will be visible, others not, but the results will become clear.” 

Student groups leading the protests accused the SNS of provoking violence by bussing in supporters and warned citizens to avoid public spaces during the party-led gatherings to prevent confrontation.

Meanwhile, in Novi Sad, tensions flared as police attempted to disperse protesters blocking the city’s court and prosecutor’s office early on August 20. According to local reports, law enforcement used force against several journalists, including N1’s Leia Apro and Žarko Bogosavljević from Razglas, despite both wearing clearly marked press credentials.

Apro sustained a hand injury after being pushed against a tree by police, N1 claimed. One university student was detained in the incident.

Protests continue in Novi Sad and other parts of the country, as demonstrators maintain pressure on the government amid accusations of authoritarianism and abuse of power.