On January 30, 2025, Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević announced his resignation following weeks of large-scale protests led by students, which have seen significant public support. These protests erupted after the deadly collapse of a roof at the Novi Sad railway station on November 1, 2023, which tragically resulted in the deaths of 15 people. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and brought longstanding grievances about government corruption to the forefront of the national conversation.
The protests mark the largest challenge to the rule of populist President Aleksandar Vučić, with students leading the charge and calling for accountability. A group of students commenced their march from Belgrade to Novi Sad, embarking on this 75-kilometer trek to show solidarity with fellow protesters who plan to stage blockades of major bridges on Saturday. "This march is our way of offering support to our colleagues from Novi Sad. We also want to show how persistent we are and how we do not plan to stop until our demands are met," remarked Tatjana Gogic, a student of biology.
The students' protests are fueled by the belief widely held among the public: the roof collapse was due to negligence, corruption, and substandard construction overseen by the government, especially within infrastructure projects involving Chinese state-owned companies. Vasilije Milanovic, another student involved in the protests, emphasized the determination of young demonstrators, saying, "Justice and freedom of thought" are at the heart of their movement.
The protests began gaining momentum after the government’s heavy-handed crackdown on public commemorations of the roof collapse victims. Poster campaigns, demonstrations, and rallies have swept across Serbia where protests have occurred almost daily, reflecting dissatisfaction with the ruling party’s governance.
On the morning following the attack on students by suspected members of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, Prime Minister Vučević announced his resignation at a press conference. "I opted for this step to reduce tensions," he stated, adding this moment was necessary to initiate dialogue and restore some calm within the political environment. His resignation signals not only his personal downfall but could also lead to greater political shifts with early parliamentary elections now possible.
Concurrently, public sentiment continues to evolve. Following Miloš Vučević's announcement, there are calls for transitional governance from opposition parties, demanding changes to facilitate free and fair elections, as many suspect there have been irregularities during previous electoral processes.
This push from students for greater accountability has created ripples of support throughout different societal sectors including teachers, actors, farmers, and public figures who have joined the movement. Last Monday, tens of thousands protested alongside university students, blocking key traffic intersections to draw attention to their cause. "We are going to show some things cannot be tolerated here," asserted Radmilo Tomic, underscoring the students’ motivation to pursue justice.
While the protests are predominantly student-led, their impact suggests they represent broader frustration with the political establishment under President Vučić which has been accused of eroding democratic freedoms. The atmosphere is fraught with feelings of chaos, as remarked by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who cautioned against the potential for unrest, noting the authorities must engage constructively with protesters to avert disorder.
The students have firmly laid out their demands: publication of renovation documents concerning the collapse, accountability for violent acts against students, halting prosecutions of arrested protestors, and increased funding for higher education. The urgency of these demands has only amplified following the violent incidents associated with anti-government protests, with protests now extending beyond just student dissatisfaction to general public grievances.
The construction industry has faced scrutiny and criticism, particularly highlighting the poor oversight and corruption alleged during the renovation projects. The controversial materials and contractors used have made headlines, raising concerns about safety and efficacy.
Further developments will depend heavily on the decisions made within Serbia's parliament, which has 30 days to form a new government following Vučević’s resignation. If unable to agree, early elections may be called, allowing citizens to voice their discontent at the polls. The coming weeks will be pivotal, as the student-led movement continues to gain momentum and support, reflecting widespread discontent with the government’s handling of issues surrounding corruption.