Belgrade, 6 September 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Protests against the government of President Aleksandar Vučić in the northern city of Novi Sad once again resulted in clashes between police and demonstrators late on Friday.

Police forcibly removed thousands of peaceful protesters from the grounds of the University of Novi Sad, independent broadcaster station N1 reported. Authorities used tear gas, batons and stun grenades.

According to media reports, the police operation began after unknown persons threw objects at police officers who were posted in front of the Faculty of Philosophy building.

The faculty has been at the centre of demonstrations for a week and a half after its pro-government dean forced the students to leave the building, which they had been occupying for months, under police protection.

The student-led protest movement began after the collapse of a newly renovated station canopy in the northern city of Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, which resulted in the deaths of 16 people. Independent experts and opposition members blame negligence and corruption under the Vučić government for the tragedy.

It has since evolved into the largest and longest-lasting protest movement in Serbia's history since the collapse of Yugoslavia. With its demand for early elections, the movement is putting Vučić and his government under great pressure.

Until this summer, their actions were largely peaceful. Recently, however, there have been repeated violent clashes in which the police have used great force against the demonstrators, including on the campus of the University of Novi Sad.