On December 11, hundreds of citizens and activists gathered outside the Serbian Presidency building in Belgrade during President Aleksandar Vučić’s scheduled address. The protest was organized in response to recent student-led demonstrations following a tragic incident at the Novi Sad railway station.
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| Hundreds protesting outside Serbian Presidency, December, 2024 |
The informal student organization "Borba" announced the protest on Instagram, urging participation with the message: “The President speaks about student blockades; come to the Presidency so our voices can be heard.”
Background to the Protests
The demonstrations stem from the deadly collapse of a roof canopy at Novi Sad’s railway station on November 1, which claimed 15 lives and left two others critically injured. The incident occurred just months after the station’s reopening, following a three-year reconstruction project. State university students from Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, and Kragujevac have since blocked their campuses, demanding transparency and accountability for the tragedy.
Their demands include:
The release of classified documentation related to the reconstruction of the Novi Sad railway station.
The dismissal of charges against students arrested or detained during the subsequent protests.
Government Response and Criticism
The Serbian government has condemned the protests and blockades. Addressing the situation during a press conference, President Vučić referred to the demonstrations as “political.”
In an attempt to address public concerns, Vučić promised to announce "good news" to students and revealed plans to erect a monument at the site of the Novi Sad railway station tragedy to honor the victims. However, these gestures have been met with skepticism by protesters and activists.
Escalating Tensions
The protests highlight growing frustration among students and citizens over perceived governmental negligence and lack of accountability. The gathering outside the Presidency underscores the determination of activists to amplify their demands and hold authorities accountable for the railway station disaster.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the government will meet the demands of the protesters or if tensions will escalate further.