Novi Sad, Serbia – In a significant display of dissent, Serbian students took to the streets on Sunday, blocking the Freedom Bridge over the River Danube for more than 24 hours as part of an expanding anti-corruption movement aimed at instigating substantial reforms in the nation.
Dozens of farmers supported the students by parking their tractors nearby, expressing their intent to shield the protesters from any possible confrontations with supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic. Residents of Novi Sad showed solidarity by bringing refreshments such as tea, coffee, pancakes, pastries, and cooked meals to the demonstrators.
The students opted to prolong their protest for an additional three hours while cleaning up the area where they had gathered since Saturday. Thousands of individuals joined them in their vibrant demonstration on Sunday, reinforcing their resolve.
University students across Serbia are leading a widespread anti-graft initiative, ignited by the tragic collapse of a concrete canopy at the central train station in Novi Sad on November 1. This unfortunate event resulted in the deaths of 15 people, and many critics believe that corruption played a significant role in the negligent construction practices visible in the station’s rehabilitation, which neglected safety regulations and oversight. This disaster has become emblematic of broader dissatisfaction with the rule of law within the country.
“The only way to end this protest is when all our demands are fulfilled,” remarked student Lucija Maslakovic. The students are calling for a comprehensive inquiry into the incident, full disclosure of all documents related to the railway station’s renovations, and accountability for those responsible for the tragic collapse of the canopy.
The ongoing protests throughout Serbia present a considerable challenge for Vucic, who has been on the receiving end of criticisms from the student-led movement, which has already led to the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, a close ally of the president, earlier in the week.
In response to the protests, Vucic delivered a mixed message during his recent address, offering negotiations with striking university faculty while also issuing implicit threats towards the demonstrators. In a social media post, Vucic accused the protesters of serving foreign interests, aiming to forcefully overthrow him. He asserted that the country should not be governed by any external influence, emphasizing the importance of elections and the people’s will.
Pro-government media has largely downplayed the ongoing protests, occasionally disseminating misinformation and photographs portraying empty streets while claiming a low turnout for the Novi Sad demonstrations. However, the state broadcaster RTS surprisingly aired live coverage of the protest on Saturday, showcasing the attendance of tens of thousands.
In swift response, Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party condemned the media’s “scandalous coverage” of the bridge blockades, accusing state television of compromising the principles of impartial journalism.
The protesters maintained their presence at one of the bridges in Novi Sad overnight after having blocked all three city bridges on Saturday. The turnout on Saturday was immense, with tens of thousands flooding the streets, exerting additional pressure on governmental officials.
“I wholeheartedly support them. I can’t believe how organized, mature, and capable they are,” noted Jelena Djordjevic, a university professor from Novi Sad. “They are truly remarkable.”
The student protest resonates deeply in a nation rife with corruption, where many citizens feel that government institutions, under the control of populist influences, fail to serve the public interest. A significant portion of the population attributes the canopy collapse to governmental corruption associated with a major infrastructure project involving Chinese state companies.
To pass the time during the evening and into the night on Saturday, students engaged in various activities including basketball, volleyball, listening to music, and playing chess or card games. By morning, they were seen tidying up the protest area in preparation for further demonstrations.
Prior to the blockades, hundreds of individuals walked from Belgrade to Novi Sad over a two-day period. At 11:52 p.m. on Saturday, the protesters honored the victims of the November 1 canopy collapse with a 15-minute moment of silence, remembering the 15 lives lost, including that of two children.
