Close to 300,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Serbia’s capital Belgrade this weekend, in the latest of a series of mass student-led protests. While the demonstration in Belgrade was by far the largest, smaller protests took place in several countries across Southeast Europe and the wider region. 

These included rallies in solidarity held in Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, and in Banja Luka, the de facto capital of Republika Srpska, Bosnia & Herzegovina.

In Romania, approximately 10,000 people gathered in a pro-European demonstration against the growing influence of far-right parties. 

In the broader region, in Hungary, tens of thousands marched in opposition to the government’s increasingly tight grip on the media. Georgia, too, has seen persistent demonstrations, with protests continuing for over 100 days following the government’s decision to halt the country’s EU accession efforts. 

While each protest has its own immediate trigger, a common theme runs through the region: frustration with entrenched political elites accused of eroding democratic institutions, consolidating power and curbing civil liberties. The protests in countries including Serbia, Hungary and Georgia reflect mounting discontent over corruption and democratic backsliding. While the Romanian protest was aimed not against the government but at the increasingly powerful far-right parties, participants share with the Georgian opposition a commitment to EU values. 

The aims of the protesters differ too. Those in Georgia want a re-run of the October 2024 election that was widely seen as rigged in favour of the ruling Georgian Dream party. In Hungary, the opposition is also keen to oust Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s long-ruling Fidesz party. 

In Serbia, by contrast, protesters say they are not looking to oust the government or stage a colour revolution, but to bring in much needed reforms and force the authorities to take responsibility for a deadly accident at Novi Sad railway station. The months-long wave of protests has, however, already led to the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, and more recently President Aleksandar Vucic has talked of a snap general election to resolve the crisis. 

Serbia’s largest protest in decades

The March 15 protest in Belgrade followed months of student-led protests following the collapse of a canopy at Novi Sad railway station in November 2024. The accident, which claimed 15 lives, ignited public outrage over government negligence and corruption.

Despite efforts by the government to quell discontent, protests have grown. The biggest by far was the gathering in Belgrade on March 15, with students and other activists travelling across the country to join. Independent observers and aerial footage suggest the number of people at the event was between 275,000 and 325,000.

The scale of the March 15 protest has intensified pressure on Vucic, raising the likelihood of snap elections.

The ongoing protests in Serbia have resonated beyond its borders. Hundreds gathered in Banja Luka, the de facto capital of Republika Srpska, in support of Serbian demonstrators, while a rally in Ljubljana saw protesters observe a 15-minute silence outside the Serbian embassy.

Romanians rally for Europe 

Thousands of Romanians gathered in Bucharest on March 15, waving EU and Romanian tricolour flags to express their support for the European Union, as tensions mount over the upcoming presidential election in May.

The country is set to hold a fresh two-round presidential vote on May 4 and 18 after the Constitutional Court cancelled the initial election in December, citing allegations of Russian interference that reportedly benefited front-runner Calin Georgescu.

This time around, the candidacies of both Georgescu and fellow far-right candidate Diana Sosoaca have been rejected, but polls indicate another far-right candidate such as Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) leader George Simion could perform well. 

Georgescu’s stunning first-round victory last year, and the subsequent decision to cancel the election drew global attention to Romania. Georgescu’s cause has been seized upon by allies of US President Donald Trump, with both Vice President FD Vance and billionaire Elon Musk speaking out in his defence. This has placed Romania at the centre of the rift between the EU and Trump’s US.

New political crisis looms in Bulgaria

Earlier this week, thousands of people protested in the Bulgarian capital on March 12 after the head of the Constitutional Court accused prosecutors of interfering with the recount of votes cast in the October general election. 

Reports and video footage on election day indicated widespread fraud, including ballot stuffing, with the frauds believed to be in favour of DPS — New Beginning and Gerb, now the largest party within the ruling coalition. 

The result of the recount has now been announced, resulting in a reshuffle of seats in parliament. Both Gerb and DPS — New Beginning have lost seats, while the nationalist, pro-Russian Greatness party will now enter parliament.

After the changes in the parliament’s composition and a rift within the ruling coalition, a new political crisis is looming after Gerb’s Boyko Borissov said nothing can be done without the backing of Magnitsky-sanctioned oligarch and politician Delyan Peevski, indicating Peevski will likely wield a high level of influence over the Gerb-led government. Any attempt to give Peevski a formal role within the government would likely result in protests. 

109 days of protests in Georgia 

Elsewhere in the region, Georgians have been protesting daily for 109 days as of March 16 against the abandonment of the country’s EU path and what they see as a slide toward authoritarianism under the ruling Georgian Dream party. 

Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi remains a focal point, with protesters blocking the street in recent protests to demand fresh elections and the release of detained activists and journalists.

The recent arrest of media figures, including Batumelebi/Netgazeti founder Mzia Amaghlobeli, has further fuelled public anger. Despite heavy-handed police crackdowns, protests persist.

Hungary’s opposition gains momentum

In Central Europe, tens of thousands of Hungarians rallied in Budapest against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, as opposition leader Péter Magyar of the Tisza party vowed to end Orbán’s 15-year rule in the next general election.

As over 50,000 supporters of Tisza and other groups gathered in Budapest despite the cold, Magyar promised to launch a public survey addressing 12 key economic and political topics to gauge the "voice of the nation”. He told supporters: “Our moment has arrived.”

On the same day, Orbán addressed his own supporters, intensifying his rhetoric against NGOs, independent journalists and pro-EU opposition figures, accusing them of being foreign agents. He also reiterated his stance against Ukraine’s EU membership.