Balkan History: Taking the Belgrade Streets – The Zajedno Protests, December 1996

On the evening of December 2, 1996, tens of thousands of protesters marched through the heart of Belgrade, demanding change. The video begins quietly, with scenes of everyday city life in the afternoon. But soon, more and more people start filling the streets. Slowly, they take over Terazije. Among them are the leaders of the Zajedno coalition—Zoran Đinđić, Vesna Pešić, and Vuk Drašković—marching side by side with the crowd.

What began as a protest against election fraud quickly evolved into a movement, reflecting the growing frustration with economic collapse, international isolation, and the authoritarian grip of Slobodan Milošević. The footage captures the tense yet hopeful atmosphere as the streets of Belgrade turn into a sea of voices calling for democracy, fair elections, and an end to corruption.

Though the protests didn’t lead to immediate change, they marked a turning point in Serbia’s history, laying the groundwork for the eventual fall of Milošević in 2000. This rare footage offers a front-row seat to one of the most significant moments in Serbia’s struggle for democracy.

Belgrade, 02.12.1996, Betacam SP
German Television