As Serbia braces for a large pro-government rally in the capital this weekend, the NGO Crta (Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability) has called on citizens to report any pressure they may be facing to attend the event.
President Aleksandar Vučić announced the three-day “Great People’s Assembly” to begin on Saturday, April 12, in Belgrade. Officially, the program kicks off at 1 p.m., with the main event scheduled for 7 p.m. The rally is expected to mark the long-promised formation of a new political movement backed by Vučić’s ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
The gathering will feature speeches, cultural performances, and concerts by folk and pop artists including Baja Mali Knindža, Bene from Garavi Sokak, trumpet player Dejan Petrović, and violinists from Pranjani. Folk ensembles and cultural groups are also set to perform.
In the days leading up to the event, central Belgrade—from the Law Faculty to Nikola Pašić Square—has been transformed.
According to reports from Danas, cars parked along that stretch were towed on Thursday, and the area is now filled with white tents, wooden stalls resembling those at street fairs, mobile toilets, refrigerators, and bags of charcoal for grilling.
Three stages have been erected, with the main one located in front of the Serbian Parliament.
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The adjacent Pionirski Park, where tents were previously set up in March, has again become a gathering point. A massive Serbian flag—measuring 200 by 10 meters—is expected to be unfurled today.
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Who’s Coming?
Supporters of President Vučić have begun arriving in Belgrade on foot from various parts of the country. A group of approximately 160 Serbs from Kosovo began their march from Rudnica earlier this week, with plans to reach the capital by tonight. Although state officials have denied it, media reports suggest the group received partial transportation assistance along the route.
Another group set out from Novi Sad three days ago, reportedly made up of students and farmers—some driving tractors—to express their support for Vučić.
Crowds are already gathering in Belgrade’s Pionirski Park, and Vučić himself visited the location last night. Danas reports that up to 200,000 people are expected to attend the multi-day event.
As with previous pro-government gatherings, the ruling SNS has reportedly issued attendance quotas to local branches, with some cities and municipalities expected to send as many as 2,500 participants.
Speculation has also emerged about the use of lists—especially in Kosovo—allegedly involving employees of Serbian state institutions who were recruited or incentivized with promises of employment or other benefits.
At a recent protest in Strpce, one resident criticized the practice, claiming the Serb List party would be “taking people to the rally.” In response, Dalibor Jevtić, mayor of Strpce and member of the Serb List, confirmed the plan “with pleasure.” When challenged by a citizen on whether it was democratic to pressure people into attending, Jevtić insisted participation was voluntary.
Crta’s Call for Transparency
Amid reports of coercion and political pressure, Crta issued a public appeal on Friday, urging citizens to come forward if they are being forced or manipulated into attending the rally.
“If you are under pressure to attend a political gathering, please contact us,” the organization stated. They provided a dedicated phone line and email address—063/591 585 and [email protected]—for citizens to report such cases.
❗Ukoliko trpite pritiske – JAVITE NAM SE ‼️
📧 [email protected]
☎️ 063/591 585Politički pritisci na građane dešavaju se svakodnevno a ne samo uoči izbora. pic.twitter.com/UYRsFJiola
— CRTA (@CRTArs) April 11, 2025
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