In the Serbian countryside, hundreds of striking students took to the streets on Friday, marching towards the northern city of Novi Sad, where they plan to blockade three bridges over the River Danube during the weekend. This protest coincides with the three-month anniversary of a tragic incident where a large concrete construction for a railway station collapsed in Novi Sad on November 1, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals.
Initially sparked by concerns over possible corruption in construction contracts, this student protest has escalated into a significant challenge against the ruling populist president, Aleksandar Vucic, marking one of the most formidable movements in recent years.
Meanwhile, in Belgrade, a driver deliberately crashed his vehicle into a silent protest, injuring two female doctors from a nearby psychiatric facility. Both women fell, hitting their heads, and are currently undergoing medical evaluation. This incident marks the third attack of this nature in recent weeks and took place during the nationwide observance of a moment of silence for the victims of the railway station collapse.
A witness, Doctor Elena Matkovic, recounted the alarming situation on N1 television. She described how a driver reversed a short distance before accelerating into the crowd instead of detouring around them. “We truly did not anticipate he would drive through a gathering of people,” she stated. “Stopping the blockades is not an option for us; this is not the time to back down.”
Protesters have faced increasing violence, including previous vehicle assaults that resulted in serious injuries to two individuals. However, the students received a warm reception from the public on their march to Novi Sad, with residents cheering and offering refreshments as they passed.
In addition to the student marchers, several bike riders also surged towards Novi Sad, and taxi drivers from Belgrade announced plans to provide transportation for the student protestors following their demonstration on Sunday.
Upon reaching the town of Indjija, located roughly halfway along their 80-kilometer (50-mile) journey, the students were met with celebratory fireworks and applause from local residents. Despite spending the night outdoors in cold conditions, the students remained steadfast in their demand for significant reforms in the Balkan nation plagued by corruption.
Student Nevena Vecerinac expressed hope that the protesters’ calls for accountability related to the railway station disaster would resonate. “We are determined to reach Novi Sad,” she affirmed. “The previous day’s walk felt manageable. It’s chilly now, but we can press on. Our goals unify us.”
Another student, Luka Arsenovic, emphasized the need for broad public support, stating, “With this spirit and energy, we can accomplish our objectives; otherwise, a brighter future may be unattainable.”
Public sentiment in Serbia suggests that the railway station disaster was symptomatic of systematic government corruption linked to infrastructure projects with Chinese state companies. Critics blame the poor management and oversight of the construction efforts for the tragic failure, alongside a blatant disregard for established safety standards.
Following months of demonstrations, recent events led to the resignation of Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic earlier this week, yet the concessions made by the government have generally been deemed insufficient by the protesters, who continue to call for more substantial changes.
In the face of these movements, Vucic and other officials have shifted their narrative from one of accusation towards the students being puppets of foreign powers to offering compromises or veiled warnings. The determination shown by the protesters has caught many off guard in a country where a significant number of youth have departed in search of better prospects.
