Mass demonstrations have gripped Serbia for months following a devastating railway station collapse that claimed 15 lives. Citizens are demanding justice and accountability for those responsible.
University students have been at the forefront of these protests, marching for nearly three months to demand prosecutions for those whose negligence led to the November calamity. The station's canopy crumbled after renovations conducted by two Chinese firms.
Last week, a general strike brought the nation to a standstill. Workers across various sectors joined the students, blocking major Belgrade streets and occupying university buildings in a powerful display of solidarity.
“The scale of this movement is unlike anything I’ve witnessed in three decades of Balkan observation,” Tanya Domi, a professor at Columbia University’s Harriman Institute, remarked.
Students marched towards Novi Sad, near Belgrade, on January 30, 2025, to participate in a 24-hour blockade of three bridges, protesting the 15 deaths from the November train station canopy collapse. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Under immense pressure from the unrelenting protests, Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned, followed by the mayor of Novi Sad, the site of the tragedy. “These resignations are significant, but likely just the beginning,” Domi commented.
Despite the Prime Minister's resignation, the highest-ranking official to step down so far, the protests continue unabated across Serbia. “The Prime Minister’s resignation is insufficient,” stated Helena Ivanov, a senior fellow at the Henry Jackson Institute. She emphasized the protesters' clear demands for transparency regarding the events leading to the collapse and accountability for the lives lost.
The government's response has been characterized by a lack of transparency and attempts to deflect blame, initially ignoring the protests, then resorting to force and alleging foreign interference. Critics argue this reflects a deeper issue of systemic corruption within the Vucic government.
“The protesters view the Novi Sad tragedy not as an isolated incident, but as a consequence of widespread negligence and systemic corruption,” explained Sinisa Vukovic, director of the global policy program at Johns Hopkins University.
The Prime Minister's unprecedented resignation leaves the government in a precarious position. A new government must be formed within 30 days, or snap elections will be called. President Aleksandar Vucic has stated he will decide on the course of action within the next ten days.
Montenegro President Jakov Milatovic (left) shakes hands with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade, Serbia, on July 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
“This represents a substantial challenge to Vucic’s authority, the most significant in his 13 years of rule,” Ivanov added.
Foreign Minister Marko Djuric affirmed Serbia's unwavering commitment to stability, reform, and continued growth, emphasizing the government's attentiveness to public concerns and its dedication to the country's economic and democratic progress.
The student-led nature of these protests presents a unique challenge for the government. By distancing themselves from the widely unpopular opposition parties, the students have fostered a stronger, more unified movement.
“After 13 years of one-man rule and institutional failure, these protests send a clear message: we expect our institutions to function effectively,” Ivanov stated.
The government's use of force to suppress demonstrations has only fueled the flames of discontent, drawing more people into the streets.
Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned Tuesday amid escalating protests over the train canopy collapse that resulted in 15 deaths. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Ivana Stradner, a research fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, cautioned against overlooking President Vucic's attempts to maintain a balance between the U.S. and its adversaries, highlighting Serbia's close ties with China, Iran, and Russia, and the anti-U.S. sentiment fostered by domestic propaganda.
