Students and farmer unions rallied in Belgrade’s Slavija Square on Sunday, protesting against President Aleksandar Vucic’s government. The demonstration, among the largest in years, came in response to the November 1 collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad, which left 15 dead and many injured.
The protest began with a 15-minute silence for the victims, followed by chants of “You have blood on your hands!” Smaller protests occurred in the cities of Nis and Kragujevac. Protesters linked the tragedy to corruption and poor construction tied to mega projects involving Chinese state companies, demanding accountability from Vucic and his administration.
Growing Movement Gains Nationwide Support
The protests have drawn widespread support from diverse groups, including prominent Serbian actors and students. Actor Bane Trifunovic called the rally “a festival of freedom.” University students have spearheaded the movement, suspending classes and camping inside faculty buildings for weeks. Recently, high school students joined the demonstrations, showing solidarity with the movement. Farmers also participated, although police reportedly seized a tractor driven into Belgrade ahead of the protest.
Vucic dismissed opposition demands for a transitional government, accusing them of manipulating students for political gain. “We will beat them again,” Vucic asserted, adding, “They don’t know what to do but to use someone’s children.”
Prosecutors have arrested 13 individuals over the Novi Sad tragedy, including a government minister whose release has sparked public distrust in the investigation’s transparency. Meanwhile, sporadic violence has erupted, with reports of pro-government groups attempting to disrupt the protests.
Mounting Discontent with Vucic’s Rule
The protests underscore growing dissatisfaction with Vucic’s leadership. While he claims to aim for Serbia’s integration 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 alleged election irregularities under Vucic’s administration.
To address the escalating protests, Serbia’s government extended school winter holidays, starting them nearly a week early. Despite Vucic’s claims of addressing protesters’ demands, such as releasing renovation documents for the Novi Sad station, public trust remains fractured. Protesters continue to demand systemic reforms and accountability at the highest levels of government.