A woman drove her vehicle into a group of anti-government demonstrators in Serbia’s capital, injuring one person, according to police reports. This incident coincided with a student-led strike that paralyzed businesses and attracted tens of thousands to protests nationwide.
The protests took place simultaneously with a rally President Aleksandar Vucic held in Jagodina, a key area for his political coalition, aimed at countering the ongoing demonstrations that have questioned his authority for nearly three months. In his address, Vucic claimed the country faces threats from both domestic and international fronts due to the protest movement.
Vucic remarked, “It is not accidental that they have attacked Serbia from abroad,” highlighting the nation’s strong ties with Russia and China and its decision not to enforce sanctions against Moscow in light of the Ukraine conflict. He urged his supporters to resist attempts to undermine Serbia’s sovereignty, proclaiming it as a source of strength amidst the challenges.
During his rally, Vucic suggested engaging in dialogue with the striking students, acknowledging the widespread societal support they have garnered. However, the students have rebuffed any negotiations regarding their demands with the president.
Daily demonstrations have involved traffic blockades, protesting the recent deaths of 15 individuals linked to the collapse of a train station canopy in November, which critics attribute to systemic government corruption.
Authorities in Belgrade have reported that a 24-year-old driver who crashed into the protesters was taken into custody. The injured protester, a 26-year-old woman, has been hospitalized and is said to be in stable condition. This incident mirrors a previous occurrence where a car crashed into protestors in Belgrade, resulting in serious injuries to another young woman.
Many citizens suspect that the significant concrete canopy at the train station in Novi Sad fell due to negligent reconstruction practices connected to corruption allegations. Protests pressing for accountability regarding the collapse have become the largest mobilizations seen under Vucic’s decade-long tenure, amid charges that he has stifled democratic freedoms while pursuing European Union membership for Serbia.
Details regarding the extent of participation in the students’ one-day general strike remain unclear, although multiple establishments, including restaurants, theaters, and shops, joined the effort. The striking students called upon citizens to “Take freedom into our own hands.”
During his Jagodina rally, Vucic outlined plans to establish a nationwide political movement in March, modeled after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party, to reinforce the preeminence of his Serbian Progressive Party. “You are all welcome to the movement of significant change and future,” he declared, indicating the movement would encompass non-party members as well.
Vucic and allied media have suggested that students are acting on directives from foreign intelligence agencies with intentions to destabilize the government. Simultaneously, there have been repeated instances of pro-government individuals assaulting demonstrators.
Protestors organized 15-minute traffic disruptions on Friday beginning at 11:52 a.m., coinciding with the moment of the Novi Sad canopy collapse. For the past two months, Serbian universities and various schools have faced blockades from student demonstrators. A group of lawyers also participated in the strike, but it is unclear how much state-run enterprises were affected by the protest.
Marches occurred across various cities, including Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Nis, with even Jagodina witnessing protests prior to Vucic’s arrival. Actor Goran Susljik expressed on N1 regional television, “Things can’t stay the same anymore. Students have offered us the possibility of change.”
Legal charges have been filed against 13 individuals in connection with the canopy collapse, including a government minister and a number of state officials. Former construction minister Goran Vesic was released from custody, which has raised questions about the investigation’s integrity. The primary railway station in Novi Sad has undergone renovations on two occasions recently, part of a larger infrastructure agreement with Chinese state enterprises.
The protests took place simultaneously with a rally President Aleksandar Vucic held in Jagodina, a key area for his political coalition, aimed at countering the ongoing demonstrations that have questioned his authority for nearly three months. In his address, Vucic claimed the country faces threats from both domestic and international fronts due to the protest movement.
Vucic remarked, “It is not accidental that they have attacked Serbia from abroad,” highlighting the nation’s strong ties with Russia and China and its decision not to enforce sanctions against Moscow in light of the Ukraine conflict. He urged his supporters to resist attempts to undermine Serbia’s sovereignty, proclaiming it as a source of strength amidst the challenges.
During his rally, Vucic suggested engaging in dialogue with the striking students, acknowledging the widespread societal support they have garnered. However, the students have rebuffed any negotiations regarding their demands with the president.
Daily demonstrations have involved traffic blockades, protesting the recent deaths of 15 individuals linked to the collapse of a train station canopy in November, which critics attribute to systemic government corruption.
Authorities in Belgrade have reported that a 24-year-old driver who crashed into the protesters was taken into custody. The injured protester, a 26-year-old woman, has been hospitalized and is said to be in stable condition. This incident mirrors a previous occurrence where a car crashed into protestors in Belgrade, resulting in serious injuries to another young woman.
Many citizens suspect that the significant concrete canopy at the train station in Novi Sad fell due to negligent reconstruction practices connected to corruption allegations. Protests pressing for accountability regarding the collapse have become the largest mobilizations seen under Vucic’s decade-long tenure, amid charges that he has stifled democratic freedoms while pursuing European Union membership for Serbia.
Details regarding the extent of participation in the students’ one-day general strike remain unclear, although multiple establishments, including restaurants, theaters, and shops, joined the effort. The striking students called upon citizens to “Take freedom into our own hands.”
During his Jagodina rally, Vucic outlined plans to establish a nationwide political movement in March, modeled after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party, to reinforce the preeminence of his Serbian Progressive Party. “You are all welcome to the movement of significant change and future,” he declared, indicating the movement would encompass non-party members as well.
Vucic and allied media have suggested that students are acting on directives from foreign intelligence agencies with intentions to destabilize the government. Simultaneously, there have been repeated instances of pro-government individuals assaulting demonstrators.
Protestors organized 15-minute traffic disruptions on Friday beginning at 11:52 a.m., coinciding with the moment of the Novi Sad canopy collapse. For the past two months, Serbian universities and various schools have faced blockades from student demonstrators. A group of lawyers also participated in the strike, but it is unclear how much state-run enterprises were affected by the protest.
Marches occurred across various cities, including Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Nis, with even Jagodina witnessing protests prior to Vucic’s arrival. Actor Goran Susljik expressed on N1 regional television, “Things can’t stay the same anymore. Students have offered us the possibility of change.”
Legal charges have been filed against 13 individuals in connection with the canopy collapse, including a government minister and a number of state officials. Former construction minister Goran Vesic was released from custody, which has raised questions about the investigation’s integrity. The primary railway station in Novi Sad has undergone renovations on two occasions recently, part of a larger infrastructure agreement with Chinese state enterprises.
