Students and farmer unions gathered in Belgrade’s Slavija Square on Sunday to protest against President Aleksandar Vucic’s government. The large-scale demonstration was sparked by the November 1 collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad, which claimed 15 lives and injured many others.
The protest began with a 15-minute silence for the victims, followed by chants of “You have blood on your hands!” Smaller demonstrations took place in the cities of Nis and Kragujevac. Protesters attributed the tragedy to corruption and substandard construction tied to mega projects involving Chinese state companies, demanding accountability from Vucic and his administration.
National Protests Unite Diverse Groups
The demonstrations have drawn support from a wide array of groups, including prominent Serbian actors and students. Actor Bane Trifunovic described the rally as “a festival of freedom.” University students have led the movement, halting classes and camping inside faculty buildings for weeks. Recently, high school students joined the protests, expressing solidarity with the cause. Farmers also participated, although police reportedly seized a tractor brought into central Belgrade ahead of the protest.
President Vucic dismissed opposition demands for a transitional government, accusing them of exploiting students for political leverage. “We will beat them again,” Vucic declared, adding, “They don’t know what to do but to use someone’s children.”
Prosecutors have arrested 13 individuals in connection with the Novi Sad incident, including a government minister whose release has fueled skepticism about the investigation’s integrity. Sporadic violence has also erupted, with reports of pro-government groups attempting to disrupt the protests.
Widespread Dissatisfaction with Vucic’s Policies
The protests highlight mounting dissatisfaction with Vucic’s leadership. While he claims to seek Serbia’s integration into the European Union, critics accuse him of undermining democratic freedoms. Opposition parties have called for a transitional government to ensure free and fair elections, pointing to alleged irregularities in previous votes under Vucic’s rule.
In response to the growing unrest, Serbia’s government extended school winter holidays by nearly a week. Despite Vucic’s assertions that he has met protesters’ demands, including the release of renovation documents for the Novi Sad station, public trust remains low. Protesters continue to demand systemic reforms and greater accountability from the government.
