Why Serbians are protesting against Trump son-in-law's real estate project
What's the story
Thousands of people marched through Serbia's capital, Belgrade, on Monday, discontent over a luxury real estate project spearheaded by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of United States President Donald Trump.
The demonstration took place at the site of the former army headquarters, which was destroyed during the US-led NATO bombing campaign in 1999 as part of the Kosovo war.
Heritage preservation
Protesters demand preservation of historical site
Serbian authorities are leasing the site to Kushner's Affinity Partners investment firm so that the former army headquarters can be turned into an upscale compound.
Ognjen Pjevac, 20, a University of Belgrade student, said they were protesting on the 26th anniversary of the NATO bombing.
"And we protest because this building has been given to someone to make profit."
He said it should just stay as it is, "as it is a testimony to NATO aggression."
Opposition
Serbian architects and opposition parties oppose multimillion-dollar deal
Protesters called for the site, which has two buildings designed by Serbian architect Nikola Dobrovic, to be restored as a heritage site.
They also demanded that the development project be scrapped.
The government's multimillion-dollar deal with Kushner, including a 99-year lease on prime land in central Belgrade, has been opposed by Serbia's architects and engineers as well as opposition parties.
Rising discontent
Protests against President Vucic's government escalate
The demonstration was one of a series of massive protests against President Aleksandar Vucic's government, which has been accused of corruption and democratic backsliding.
The roof collapse at Novi Sad train station last November that killed 15 people ignited widespread dissatisfaction with Vucic's administration.
Critics had blamed the incident on government corruption and negligence regarding construction safety rules during renovation work.
Environmental concerns
Controversial lithium mine plan sparks mass protests
In early 2024, another mass protest erupted against the government's approval of plans for a controversial lithium mine.
The project is considered crucial to Europe's green energy transition, but opponents argue it will pollute water sources and endanger public health.
Serbia has maintained a delicate balance between its historical ties with the European Union and Russia, leaning closely to Moscow for decades now.