BELGRADE, Serbia — In a dramatic departure from the usual lively New Year’s Eve celebrations, tens of thousands of protesters, predominantly students from universities, took to the streets in Belgrade and various other Serbian cities, voicing their demands for political change and accountability within the government.
The surge in protests follows the tragic November 1 collapse of a concrete canopy at the central train station in Novi Sad, which resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals.
Widespread public outrage has been directed at the populist Serbian government, with many pointing fingers at corruption and poor construction practices as contributing factors to this calamity, thus sparking calls for responsible governance.
Under the banner “There is No New Year — You Still Owe Us for the Old One,” the student-led protests attracted significant crowds. As the clock ticked down towards midnight, the demonstrators fell silent for 15 minutes at 11:52 PM to honor the victims of the tragedy, many holding up banners adorned with a vivid red handprint—an emblem representing the growing antigovernment sentiments and a stark reminder to officials that they bear responsibility for the tragedies.
Earlier in the evening, protesters marched past a state-sponsored concert that featured folk music, protected by a heavy police presence and barricades meant to keep the two groups apart.
Despite the holiday season, the commitment to seeking justice and reform remains firm among the protesters. This student-led initiative has garnered widespread solidarity from various sectors of society, including professors, farmers, and artists. This collaboration highlights the growing dissatisfaction with President Aleksandar Vucic’s authoritarian-style governance.
Parallel gatherings also occurred in other cities, including Novi Sad and Nis, with students leading those demonstrations as well.
In Belgrade, state-sponsored celebrations and concerts took place in both the city center and the newly developed Belgrade Waterfront area, which Vucic has promoted as a collaborative project with investors from the United Arab Emirates.
Traditionally, Belgrade is a popular destination for tourists celebrating New Year’s Eve, known for its vibrant street parties and elaborate fireworks displays.
Despite frigid temperatures and fog, many Belgraders joined students in their protest, which underscores a continuation of the larger movement. This latest demonstration follows a massive rally held just over a week ago, uniting students and supporters in one of the largest gatherings seen in the capital in recent years.
In a recent development, Serbia’s public prosecutor announced indictments against 13 individuals, including a former minister, in connection to the train station’s canopy collapse. However, protesters express that these charges are insufficient, demanding that the investigation also includes potential corrupt practices linked to renovation contracts involving Chinese firms.
Vucic, in a prior interview with pro-government media, claimed that the demands of the students had been met and expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue. “I have always been ready to talk, I am asking them now but they won’t talk to me, they have no arguments,” he stated, asserting that he will not be overthrown by protests in the streets.
