HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS TAKE TO THE STREETS IN SERBIA PROTESTING CORRUPTION
INDJIJA, Serbia — Hundreds of students on strike marched through the Serbian countryside on Friday, making their way to the northern city of Novi Sad, where they intend to blockade three bridges across the River Danube this weekend.
The planned blockade on Saturday coincides with the three-month anniversary of a significant incident that occurred on November 1, when a massive concrete structure at the railway station in Novi Sad collapsed, resulting in 15 fatalities.
What began as a protest against alleged corruption in construction contracts has escalated into a major challenge to the authority of Serbia’s populist leader, President Aleksandar Vucic, marking one of the most critical moments for his administration in recent years.
On a separate note in Belgrade, a vehicle was driven into a silent protest on Friday, injuring two female medical professionals from a nearby psychiatric hospital. Reports indicate that both women hit the pavement with their heads and are currently receiving medical attention.
This incident, which is the third occurrence of its kind in a short span, took place during a daily fifteen-minute period of silence observed across Serbia to commemorate the tragedy at the railway station in Novi Sad.
Pro-government groups have repeatedly targeted demonstrators, many of whom are students, with cars being deliberately driven into protests. In previous encounters, two individuals sustained serious injuries.
Throughout their journey toward Novi Sad, the students received enthusiastic support from locals, with many people cheering them on, honking car horns, and offering food and beverages. When they arrived in Indjija, approximately halfway through their 80-kilometer (50-mile) trek, they were greeted with fireworks and applause from the citizens.
Despite spending the night outdoors in freezing conditions on a soccer field, their resolve for significant changes in the corruption-laden Balkan state remained strong. Student Nevena Vecerinac expressed her hopes that the protesters’ demands, which include holding accountable those responsible for the railway disaster, will be met.
“We will make it to Novi Sad,” she affirmed, adding, “Yesterday’s walk was manageable; it’s cold now, but we can overcome it. We all share the same objective.”
Fellow student Luka Arsenovic emphasized the need for widespread support, stating, “With this energy and spirit, I believe we can succeed; otherwise, there will be no bright future ahead.”
Many in Serbia attribute the collapse of the train station overhang to governmental corruption linked to a substantial infrastructure project involving Chinese state firms. Critics assert that misconduct led to poor quality work during the station’s reconstruction, inadequate supervision, and a disregard for established safety regulations.
After months of protests, significant pressure has already led to the resignation of the Serbian prime minister, Milos Vucevic, this week, alongside concessions from the authorities that have fallen short of protester expectations.
Vucic and other government officials have shifted their narrative from blaming students for collaborating with foreign entities to undermine his administration to offering concessions and issuing thinly veiled warnings.
The resilience and commitment of the demonstrators have taken many by surprise in a nation where numerous young individuals have migrated abroad in search of better opportunities.
