In a significant display of dissent, an estimated 107,000 protesters filled the streets of Belgrade on Saturday, venting their outrage over a tragic railway station collapse in Novi Sad last November, which resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals. The incident has ignited public frustration with the government, directed primarily towards President Aleksandar Vucic, whom demonstrators accuse of negligence and corruption.
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Serbia Following Railway Tragedy
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Serbia Following Railway Tragedy
Tens of thousands gather in Belgrade demanding accountability for the Novi Sad railway station disaster that claimed 15 lives.
The protests, initiated by students, have expanded to include professions from all sectors, manifesting a deep-seated discontent with over a decade of governance by the Progressive Party. Protesters expressed a unified desire for functional institutions and a transparent investigation into the disaster, with one law student remarking, “We just want a country that works.” As anger mounts, the government’s response has seen multiple resignations, yet Vucic maintains a firm grip on power, dismissing claims of yielding to protest demands.
Protesters are particularly irked by the perceived lack of transparency regarding the renovation and subsequent collapse of the station. They have called for the full disclosure of all relevant documentation, as well as severing ties with those accountable for the tragedy. As tensions rise, the commitment among students and other sectors to pursue justice signals an ongoing struggle for accountability in Serbia's political landscape.
In the face of mounting pressure, Vucic continues to assert his leadership, labeling the opposition as a "criminal cartel" and reaffirming that he will not succumb to street demands. The sentiment among protesters, however, remains resolute as they vow to maintain their demonstrations until their calls for transparency and justice are adequately addressed.
Protesters are particularly irked by the perceived lack of transparency regarding the renovation and subsequent collapse of the station. They have called for the full disclosure of all relevant documentation, as well as severing ties with those accountable for the tragedy. As tensions rise, the commitment among students and other sectors to pursue justice signals an ongoing struggle for accountability in Serbia's political landscape.
In the face of mounting pressure, Vucic continues to assert his leadership, labeling the opposition as a "criminal cartel" and reaffirming that he will not succumb to street demands. The sentiment among protesters, however, remains resolute as they vow to maintain their demonstrations until their calls for transparency and justice are adequately addressed.
