A pro-European Union coalition under President Boris Tadic has governed Serbia since 2008, but economic hardship and frustration with slow EU integration has left many disgruntled. “As of this morning I am not taking food and water. My message to Tadic is, when something bad happens to me, call elections,” Tomislav Nikolic, head of the conservative Serbian Progressive Party, told the crowd in central Belgrade. Nikolic and his party have stepped up calls for early elections in recent weeks. Voting is currently due to take place in early 2012.

“We need a new, honest government which will not lie and steal from the people,” said Veljo Stanic, 53, who traveled from the southwestern town of Pozega.

Riot police armed with shields and clubs lined back streets ready to deploy in the case of violence.

“I fully sympathize with these people. They are poor and hungry and the government is to blame,” said Vidoje, a policeman who stood close to the crowd in full riot gear.

Protesters carried party flags and banners with the slogans “Down with thieves” and “People want justice, work and progress.” Some chanted“Save Serbia and kill yourself Boris,” referring to the president. Tadic, who met Nikolic on Thursday, said it was not possible to fix an election date until Serbia became an EU membership candidate, a status it hopes to obtain later this year.

“Ultimatums, threats and speculation about election dates are totally inappropriate,” Tadic’s office said in a statement on Thursday. “I understand (the) impatience and nervousness of some opposition parties, but Serbia needs stability ... instead of instability and constant veiled threats of violence,” said Tadic, who heads the ruling Democrats.