Thousands of Serbian citizens have taken to the streets of Belgrade to voice their strong opposition against a controversial luxury development project connected to Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Historic Site Under Threat
The protests centre on plans to demolish the former Yugoslav army headquarters, a building that holds deep historical significance for many Serbians. The structure was damaged during NATO bombing campaigns in 1999 during the Kosovo conflict and is widely regarded as both a memorial to those who lost their lives and an important example of Yugoslav-era modernist architecture.
On Friday, Serbian lawmakers passed legislation that would fast-track procedures allowing Kushner's Affinity Global Development firm to construct a luxury hotel, apartments, shops, and offices on the historic site. This move has sparked outrage among citizens and opposition politicians alike.
Growing Public Anger
During a rally held at the site in central Belgrade on Tuesday, 48-year-old protester Teodora Smiljanic declared that citizens would "raise our voice against the law." She suggested that President Aleksandar Vucic was attempting to "please Trump and curry favour," possibly in hopes that Trump might lift US sanctions against NIS, Serbia's sole Russian-owned oil refinery.
The demonstration represents the latest in a series of anti-government protests that have been occurring throughout Serbia. These public displays of discontent initially sparked following the collapse of a railway station roof that killed 16 people approximately one year ago.
Constitutional Concerns and Government Response
Opposition politicians have raised serious concerns about the legislation enabling Kushner's company to accelerate administrative procedures for the development. Zdravko Ponos, a former army chief of staff and current leader of the opposition Srbija Centar party, accused Vucic of attempting to "corrupt Trump" during an interview with Serbian outlet N1 TV on Tuesday.
Despite these constitutional concerns and public opposition, the legislation was approved by the governing majority without any amendments. The government has defended its position by arguing that the development is crucial for maintaining positive relations with the United States.
Protesters gathered outside the historic building, waving flags as what they described as a "warning" to the Serbian government. One demonstrator told Ukrainian outlet Mezha: "This is a warning: we will all defend these buildings together. We will become a human shield."
The controversy dates back to last November when Vucic's government stripped the old army compound of its protected cultural heritage status, despite significant public opposition. This was followed by the signing of a 99-year lease deal with Affinity Global Development last year, which protesters are now challenging.
Affinity Partners, Kushner's wider investment holding, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters on Tuesday. Kushner established Affinity Global Development after stepping down from his position as a White House aide in 2021.
