In Jagodina, central Serbia, a rally of government and President Aleksandar Vučić’s supporters was held on Friday in response to recent anti-government demonstrations. Several thousand people attended the event. Commenting on the protests, which have been ongoing for weeks, the president emphasized that „there will be no change of power in the streets.”

President Vučić also announced the formation of a new „Movement for the Nation and the State,” intended to unite ruling parties and their supporters. During the presentation of this new political platform, which will be open for enrollment starting March 15, Vučić stated that he was establishing it „for the future of the nation and because Serbia needs change and new energy.”

The president declared that „Serbia is being attacked both from outside and within.” He added that „dangerous tendencies and individuals aiming to separate Vojvodina (a northern province) from Serbia have emerged.”

— „We will never surrender Serbia to you,” Vučić said, while the crowd chanted back, „We will not give up Serbia.” The president called on students — who have been leading most of the country’s protest actions for weeks — to engage in dialogue.

Several thousand government and presidential supporters gathered in Jagodina, reportedly transported by buses from across the country, according to journalists on the ground. This marked the first such large-scale gathering of government supporters since the start of the current wave of protests triggered by the accident in Novi Sad.

Earlier on Friday, a general strike and demonstrations took place across Serbia, with tens of thousands of people participating in both large and small cities. Many shops, schools, cultural institutions, and major independent media outlets joined the strike initiated by students.

Since the beginning of November, Serbian protesters have been demanding political and criminal accountability for those responsible for the construction disaster in Novi Sad, which claimed 15 lives. Demonstrators are also calling for the punishment of those who attacked people participating in peaceful protests.