As Serbia braces for what could be the largest protest in years, tensions are rising in the capital ahead of the planned March 15 demonstration. Students, who have been at the forefront of anti-government protests for over three months, will gather at 4 pm on March 15, in front of the Serbian National Assembly, in what could become a defining moment for both the students and the government.

The students, who have been blocking universities across Serbia for several months, have been joined by citizens from all walks of life — including educators, farmers and cultural workers. They are calling for justice following the deaths of 15 people in a canopy roof collapse at Novi Sad railway station in November 2024, and for political and criminal accountability. Their movement, which has gained widespread support, aims to challenge alleged government corruption and the long-standing rule of President Aleksandar Vucic.

The protest, which has been meticulously planned, will see students arriving on foot and by bicycle from cities across Serbia, including Kragujevac, Niš, Trstenik, Kraljevo and Užice. Many have been walking for days to reach Belgrade, while a “tractor camp” is forming in Pionirski Park, with protesters planning to sleep there in solidarity. In preparation for the influx of protesters, traffic in central Belgrade has already been blocked off, with the National Assembly cordoning off its building until March 17 to minimise disruptions and potential incursions.

The government is preparing for significant unrest. Serbian police have warned of possible large crowds, traffic jams and potential interruptions to basic services, including emergency medical assistance. There are also concerns about possible phone network disruptions. In a stark warning, the government has indicated that they are prepared for potential violence, though the previous mass protests have occurred largely without incident. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has accused some opposition groups of planning violent tactics, citing a video shared by state media on March 13, in which a group of people can be heard plotting an attack on the parliament.

Despite these fears, the student-led blockades have maintained a consistent message of peaceful protest, reiterating that all previous demonstrations have been non-violent. However, with accusations flying, the possibility of clashes remains high. Tensions could also escalate between protesters and a growing faction of citizens who are frustrated by the months-long instability caused by the demonstrations. Some citizens are demanding an end to the protests and a return to normalcy, with some students even camping out in front of the presidential palace, desperate to resume their education.

In response to these growing tensions, the United Nations has called for calm. "We urge both the Serbian authorities and protesters to ensure that the demonstration remains peaceful and to respect the right to free expression," said a spokesperson for the UN Office for Human Rights.

Meanwhile, the European Union has expressed concern over the situation, with a spokesperson stating that Brussels is “closely monitoring” the situation. The EU has called on Serbian authorities to allow the protest to take place without interference. The US embassy in Belgrade also issued a security warning to its citizens, advising them to avoid large crowds and mass gatherings.

The statements from foreign embassies and international organisations highlight the levels of anticipation for the March 15 event, a culmination of months of anti-government protests and bubbling discontent. But what happens next? While the protest is unlikely to force Vucic to step down, it is certainly a blow to his government’s authority and he will be feeling the pressure as the crowds gather. With the resignation of top ministers already under the belt of the protesters, the government has scrambled to launch a purge of corrupt officials — but it has done little to quell the growing discontent.

Some speculate that the protest could mark a new chapter in Serbia's turbulent political history, reminiscent of the 2000 protests that led to the downfall of former president Slobodan Milošević. "Will this be the next fifth of October?" the opposition is asking. While this is an unlikely outcome, the atmosphere in Belgrade is undeniably charged, and the global community is watching closely to see how the government is going to react.