Mass protests in Belgrade

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Belgrade to protest against Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and his government, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

The protest, organized by students and farmers' unions, is part of a broader movement demanding accountability for the collapse of the Novi Sad train station roof, which claimed 15 lives on November 1.

The demonstration began with 15 minutes of silence in honor of the victims, followed by chants of “Your hands are bloody.” Smaller gatherings were also held in Niš and Kragujevac. Many in Serbia blame the tragedy on widespread corruption and poor construction work at the train station, which was renovated twice in recent years as part of questionable projects involving Chinese state-owned companies.

Protesters are demanding that Vučić and those responsible for the roof collapse face justice. So far, authorities have arrested 13 people in connection with the Novi Sad incident, including a minister who was later released, deepening public distrust in the investigation process.

The recent protests have posed a significant challenge to Vučić, whom critics accuse of increasingly autocratic rule. While the Serbian leader officially seeks EU membership, he has faced accusations of undermining democratic freedoms and maintains close ties with Russia and China. Vučić initially accused students of instigating the protests, claiming they were funded by the West, but later said he had met their demands, including releasing documentation on the train station renovation.

Today, Vučić inaugurated a newly built section of a highway in central Serbia, where he stated that he would not yield to opposition demands for a transitional government and accused his opponents of exploiting students to seize power without elections.

The opposition argues that a transitional government would pave the way for free and fair elections and could offer a solution to the political tensions.

In an effort to deter protests, the Serbian government extended the winter school holidays, starting them nearly a week early. In recent days, more high school students have joined the movement. University classes across Serbia have been suspended for weeks, with students occupying faculty buildings. Occasional violence has marred the protests, as pro-government groups attempted to disrupt the demonstrations.

A group of farmers reported today that police confiscated a tractor belonging to one of their leaders ahead of the protest. Besides farmers, Serbian students have gained nationwide support from various sectors, including their professors, media personalities, lawyers, and prominent individuals.