BELGRADE, Serbia — The resignation of Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic on Tuesday was expected to calm ongoing protests against President Aleksander Vucic’s government, but that was not the case. Instead, the move sparked renewed demonstrations, with thousands taking to the streets in Novi Sad, the country’s second-largest city, to continue their demands for political reform, shaking Vucic’s decade-long rule for the first time.
The protests ignited after a tragic incident on November 1, when a concrete canopy collapsed at the entrance of Novi Sad’s renovated central railway station, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals. Initially beginning as memorial vigils for the victims, the protests have transformed into widespread demonstrations against Vucic’s increasingly authoritarian leadership. The public is voicing their dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency surrounding numerous large infrastructure projects in the region, many of which are financed by Chinese state enterprises.
Critics have pointed fingers at corruption, inadequate oversight, and poor construction standards as contributing factors to the deadly accident. However, state officials have kept many details regarding the finances and oversight of the project vague, leading to public frustration. They have contradicted themselves on whether any maintenance was undertaken on the station’s roof, deepening the public’s distrust.
Following Vucevic’s resignation that failed to quell unrest, Vucic escalated his rhetoric towards the demonstrators, hinting that his tolerance for their actions was dwindling. The mood among the protesters has shifted from grieving to anger, as varied groups—including professors, medical professionals, and artists—joined students in demanding accountability and change. A significant demonstration occurred outside Serbian state television in Belgrade, where protesters demanded a more balanced and fair representation of their grievances in media coverage.
To commemorate the lives lost, protesters perform daily 15-minute traffic blockades across the nation. These actions occur at precisely 11:52 a.m., the time of the canopy’s collapse, while chants of “corruption kills” echo through the air. Demonstrators have left red-painted handprints on government buildings, symbolizing the blood they attribute to the authorities’ negligence.
The protests have not been without incidents; two women suffered injuries from vehicles crashing into the crowd, and a young woman was attacked by supporters of Vucic, resulting in serious injuries.
The demands being made by the students are for complete transparency regarding the collapse as well as justice for those deemed responsible. While they have not named any specific leaders for investigation, opposition factions have suggested that anyone linked to a potentially corrupt renovation deal should be brought to trial, particularly naming Vucevic, a former local government leader.
Initial claims by officials stated that the roof had not been renovated, but those statements were later challenged by experts and contradicting images, indicating that work had indeed taken place.
Government responses to the protests have been limited. Some documents related to the collapse have been released, though Vucic argues all renovation documentation has been shared. Protesters and legal experts disagree with this assessment. Following the renovation by a consortium led by Chinese companies, there have been refusals to disclose project-related information. While 13 individuals have faced charges regarding the incident, some remain unaccounted for, including the former construction minister, raising questions about the investigation’s credibility.
In a national address, Vucic defended his administration’s handling of the crisis and promised to open dialogues with protesters, an offer that student leaders have dismissed. They insist that Vucic’s presidential role is largely ceremonial and have instead called for the government, the police, and the judiciary to uphold the rule of law as outlined by the constitution.
Responses from external authorities have varied as well. Support from Russia and China has been unwavering, with assertions that Serbia is a victim of Western plots and that foreign powers are allegedly financing the protests. Meanwhile, the European Union has largely retained silence while Vucic reassures its leaders of Serbia’s path toward EU membership. Serbia, closely allied with Russia, has resisted sanctions related to Moscow’s actions against Ukraine. The United States has also attempted to mitigate Russian and Chinese presence in the region, but with limited success thus far. Richard Grenell, designated by President Trump for special missions, expressed on social media the importance of allowing diverse voices while cautioning against those who disrupt the rule of law.
