Tens of thousands of Serbians gathered on Sunday evening at Belgrade's Slavija Square to protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) following the tragic roof collapse of the Novi Sad railway station on November 1. The accident resulted in the deaths of 15 people, sparking outrage directed at the government, which many citizens blame for the incident due to alleged corruption and negligence.
The rally commemorated the victims of the disaster, starting with 15 minutes of silence. Protesters called out chants like “Vucic, thief!” and held up banners proclaiming “We are all under the canopy” and “You have blood on your hands,” reflecting the growing frustration against the governing party.
One protester, 30-year-old Aleksa, expressed, “We came here to say ‘Stop’ to everything happening since 2012,” referring to when Vucic's party took power. “We want to see an end to corruption and nepotism.” These sentiments echoed throughout the demonstration, which was organized by university students and farmer unions and represented one of the largest protests Serbia has seen in years.
The rally followed the collapse of the railway station roof, which, after renovations involving Chinese state companies, caved under its own weight, claiming the lives of 14 on-site and one additional victim who succumbed to injuries later. Investigations have led to the arrests of 13 people, including government officials, though the release of those detained sparked public doubts about the integrity of the investigation.
Acclaimed actor Bane Trifunovic characterized the rally as “a festival of freedom,” symbolizing the broader societal discontent with Vucic’s administration. Smaller demonstrations were also reported across the country, including cities like Nis and Kragujevac, as students and citizens alike rallied for justice.
The Serbian government, under Vucic's leadership, has faced serious scrutiny during these protests. Critics accuse the administration of prioritizing loyalty over capability, emphasizing systemic issues rooted deeply within the country's governance. The president maintains, “We will beat them again,” dismissing opposition allegations as attempts to leverage student protests for political gain.
Protesters are not just calling for accountability concerning the collapse; they are also demanding the resignation of Vucic and the mayor of Novi Sad, alongside sanctions against those responsible for building oversight failures and subsequent violence against demonstrators. Calls for justice have been intensified by the police response to earlier protests, which reportedly involved abusive tactics from pro-government factions.
Understanding the depth of discontent permeates throughout Serbia, the government recently attempted to soften these protests by announcing high school winter holiday closures starting earlier than planned. While this act was framed as concern for children's well-being amid rising protests, many students remain steadfast, asserting their demands have not been fully granted.
Despite government efforts to quell the unrest, the protests depict increasing resistance against the political status quo, underscoring widespread grievances over deteriorated democratic freedoms under Vucic’s rule. Demonstrators have organized gatherings at universities, using tactics such as 15-minute blockades at 11:52 am, symbolically referencing the time of the unfortunate collapse of the canopy.
Serbia's future political outlook remains uncertain as the protests continue, challenging Vucic's administration to maintain its grip on power amid growing opposition from diverse sectors of the population, including students, professionals, and actors. The evolution of these protests could reshape the political dynamics within Serbia as citizens demand accountability, justice, and transparency from their leaders.
