In the heart of Serbia, the city of Nis buzzed with activity as tens of thousands of individuals, alongside protesting university students, gathered for a significant rally opposing perceived injustices and pervasive corruption in the country. Many among the crowd carried banners and voiced a unified message: “We deserve better.”
This wave of protests, sparked by a tragic incident at a train station that left 15 people dead, has continued to sweep across Serbia. Demonstrators attribute this tragedy to governmental corruption, which has been a hallmark of the populist administration that has tightly controlled the nation for over a decade. Since the fatal incident in November, these protests have become a near-daily occurrence and represent a substantial challenge to President Aleksandar Vucic’s firm hold on power.
In a powerful statement, the students leading the movement declared their desire for “institutions that operate in the interest of all citizens, rather than contributing to their detriment.” They called for a societal shift valuing knowledge and effort over blind obedience and silence. The massive gathering in Nis, located approximately 200 kilometers (120 miles) from Belgrade, took on a festive tone, with plans to last for 18 hours. Protesters insisted, “We rally because we know we deserve better.”
The event in Nis was infused with symbolism, including the passing of a decree that served as a clarion call for action and a promise to pursue a brighter future through persistent struggle. President Vucic, who has labeled the protests as an attempt by Western forces to overthrow him, dismissed Saturday’s demonstration, asserting that support for the movement was waning and that he viewed the rally as inconsequential.
Despite Vucic’s dismissals, the students’ energy and creativity have captured widespread support, resonating with citizens disillusioned by conventional politicians and weary of the lack of significant change. Serbia, officially on the path to European Union membership, has witnessed accusations against Vucic and his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party for suppressing democratic freedoms and allowing corruption to flourish since their rise to power.
On the eve of the rally, the residents of Nis warmly welcomed the student marchers, who had journeyed in groups over several days from various directions to the city. In Serbia’s rural areas, where governmental support is typically strong, these student-led demonstrations have sparked a new wave of political engagement. As the students arrived, locals greeted them with food and drinks, many overcome with emotion, embracing the students with tears and kisses.
Pensioner Marjan Zivanovic traveled from Belgrade to join the rally, expressing a deep sense of belonging, “This is the place to be today. There is no place on earth where I belong more than here. Here is love, here is joy, here is everything. Here is the future.” Milan Bogicevic, a high school teacher from Novi Sad, emphasized that this struggle was not a sprint but a marathon, echoing the resolve felt by many in the crowd.
This gathering in Nis marks the four-month anniversary of the collapse of the concrete canopy at Novi Sad’s central train station. The station had undergone renovation twice in recent years as part of a broader infrastructure initiative involving Chinese state companies. Many in Serbia criticize the work as shoddy and blame it on negligence of construction safety standards, a byproduct of extensive corruption. The protests, previously held in Novi Sad and Kragujevac, continue gaining momentum, underscoring the collective demand for governmental accountability and transparency in Serbia.
