In Novi Sad, Serbia, a group of determined students embarked on an ambitious journey on Friday, setting their sights on Brussels with the intention of capturing the European Union’s attention regarding their sustained protests for transparency and legal reforms in Serbia. Having previously cycled all the way to France, they are now taking on a new challenge—a grueling 2,000-kilometer (1,200-mile) run to the capital of the European Union.
The initiative, described as an “ultra-marathon,” saw over 20 students start their journey from Novi Sad in northern Serbia. They embarked on this relay-style run with the support of hundreds of well-wishers, heading toward their first rest stop, the eastern Croatian town of Osijek. Nikola Kojcin noted the magnitude of their task, acknowledging its difficulty but expressing determination, “It’s going to be really hard, but we’ll make it, we have to make it.”
The university students have been at the forefront of a nationwide movement advocating against corruption, challenging the administration of Serbia’s populist President, Aleksandar Vucic. Though Vucic is officially steering Serbia toward European Union membership, he faces criticism for allegedly suppressing democracy while fostering relationships with Russia and China.
There is a growing disillusionment among pro-democracy Serbians over what they perceive as the European Union’s passive stance on Vucic’s increasingly authoritarian style. These students, through their run, aim to remind the EU to hold steadfast to its principles of liberty, dignity, and the rule of law. Vucic, defending his stance on Thursday in a TV interview, labeled the protests as part of a “color revolution” aimed at Serbian destabilization, blaming them for purportedly harming the national economy.
The students clarified they are not seeking intervention from the EU but emphasized in a statement that they are sending “a clear reminder to Europe: democratic values… must be upheld not only in official declarations but in public awareness and collective action.” Their mission carries a letter they aspire to deliver to EU institutions, illuminating Serbia’s significant political and social issues, as articulated by student Aleksa Dimitrijevic.
These demonstrators have been consistently active since a tragic accident six months ago in Novi Sad. A catastrophic train station roof collapse resulted in 16 fatalities, an incident critics attributed to negligence and corruption fraught within government-backed infrastructure projects often linked to Chinese interests. The students’ marathon journey was symbolically launched from the now-defunct central railway station in Novi Sad, where the catastrophe occurred on November 1.
Protesters have faced hostility through physical attacks during road blockades and intensive police questioning in recent months. Those who cycled to Strasbourg, France, in early April, engaged with representatives of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. Their end goal in Brussels is to engage in discussions with members of the European Commission and European Parliament, further amplifying their plea for action and accountability within the European sphere.