In Belgrade and another northern Serbian city, tens of thousands took to the streets in a powerful demonstration called by university and high school students demanding reform. The protests on Friday reflect a broader national movement against corruption that has been simmering for several months. This wave of dissent began following the tragic incident in November, where a railway station canopy in Novi Sad collapsed, resulting in fifteen fatalities. This disaster ignited outrage against President Aleksandar Vucic’s populist administration.
A Belgrade protester, Srecko Nedeljkovic, expressed his motivation for joining the march, emphasizing his desire for justice and a future governed by law and order. The sentiment resonates with large sections of the Serbian populace who suspect government corruption played a role in the Novi Sad tragedy, potentially linked to infrastructure projects involving Chinese state enterprises. While authorities classified it as an accident stemming from construction errors and have since charged 16 individuals, skepticism lingers over whether justice will truly be served.
Driven by a demand for full accountability, the student-led protests have marshaled significant public support, especially within a populace that has grown weary of political elites and distrustful of state institutions. On Friday, many businesses across Serbia, including shops, bars, and restaurants, shuttered their doors in solidarity with the students, whose educational programs have been disrupted for over three months. Echoes of the protests were heard in smaller gatherings across various towns, spurred by calls for a general strike.
In the heart of Belgrade, protesters marched through the city’s core, their path winding past key government buildings. The marching students described their efforts as a precursor to a major event scheduled for March 15. Throughout the march, participants blew whistles and accompanied by drummers making noise as they traversed the city center. A poignant 15-minute silence was observed to remember the lives lost in the canopy disaster, during which they held banners depicting red handprints symbolizing the government’s culpability in the tragedy.
Meanwhile, President Vucic has attempted to downplay the significance of these protests, suggesting they are part of a broader Western strategy to unseat him. In a recent statement, Vucic mentioned a discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the alleged revolutionary efforts, affirming support from Russia for Serbia’s current administration.
For Vucic, this persistent wave of protest represents the most significant political challenge he has faced in years. Despite having been in power for over a decade alongside the right-wing Serbian Progressive Party, his administration is frequently accused of suppressing democratic freedoms while ostensibly seeking European Union membership for Serbia.
In a counter-movement, pro-Vucic students have begun camping outside the Presidential building, advocating for a return to routine education and an end to the protracted disruptions at Serbian universities. This counter-protest appears to aim at reducing the impact of the anti-corruption movement led by students.
