Belgrade - Some 10,000 people marched through Serbia's capital Thursday calling for better living standards, marking May Day in the economically struggling Balkan nation.

Representatives of the Workers' Union pointed to the "long, painful transition and privatization in Serbia" and said workers' rights had never been more under threat.

Serbian President Boris Tadic and Labour Minister Rasim Ljaljic attended the protest, causing an uproar among some of the demonstrators.

Protesters accused politicians of breaking election promises and marched through the city centre toward the main government building.

Serbia holds early parliamentary elections on May 11 and the nation's politicians are in full campaign mode.

Both a pro-European block headed by Tadic and the anti-European camp of caretaker Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and the ultra- nationalist Radical Party promise better education and salaries and new jobs if voters give them victory. (dpa)