Richard Parks Students and farmer unions gathered in Belgrade’s Slavija Square on Sunday, voicing frustration with President Aleksandar Vucic’s government. The protests were triggered by the November 1 collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad, which left 15 dead and many injured.
The rally began with a 15-minute silence for the victims, followed by chants of “You have blood on your hands!” Smaller demonstrations also took place in the cities of Nis and Kragujevac. Protesters blamed corruption and substandard construction linked to Chinese state-led projects for the tragedy, demanding accountability from Vucic and his administration.
United Voices Against Corruption and Negligence
The protests have drawn widespread support from various groups, including Serbian actors and students. Actor Bane Trifunovic described the rally as “a festival of freedom.” University students led the demonstrations, halting classes and occupying faculty buildings for weeks. Recently, high school students joined the movement, signaling growing dissatisfaction. Farmers participated as well, though police reportedly seized a tractor brought into central Belgrade before the rally.
President Vucic dismissed calls for a transitional government, accusing opposition parties of exploiting students for political gain. “We will beat them again,” he stated, 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 fueled public skepticism about the investigation’s credibility. Reports of sporadic violence emerged as pro-government groups allegedly tried to disrupt the protests.
Mounting Pressure on Vucic’s Leadership
The demonstrations reflect growing discontent with Vucic’s administration. While he has expressed interest in leading Serbia into the European Union, critics accuse him of undermining democratic freedoms. Opposition parties have proposed a transitional government to oversee free and fair elections, citing past allegations of vote-rigging by Vucic’s ruling party.
In response to the escalating protests, Serbia’s government extended the winter school holidays by nearly a week. Despite Vucic’s claims of addressing protesters’ demands, such as releasing renovation documents for the Novi Sad station, public trust remains low. Protesters continue to call for systemic reforms and greater accountability from the nation’s leadership.