Thousands Rally in Novi Sad as Serbia’s Protest Movement Renews Call for Early Elections

BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Serbia’s northern city of Novi Sad on Saturday to commemorate the 16 people killed in the 2024 collapse of a railway station awning while renewing demands for early parliamentary elections, as the country’s student-led protest movement sought to maintain pressure on President Aleksandar Vucic and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

The large demonstration marked another chapter in a nationwide wave of anti-government protests that erupted following the fatal railway station disaster, an incident that many citizens believe exposed deep-rooted problems of corruption, poor oversight, and mismanagement of public infrastructure projects. Since the tragedy, protests have spread across Serbia, with students taking a leading role in organizing rallies calling for political accountability, democratic reforms, and greater government transparency.

Saturday’s gathering in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city, attracted thousands of participants despite temperatures reaching around 30 degrees Celsius. Protesters filled streets and public squares, chanting “Victory” while criticizing President Vucic and his ruling party. Many carried banners and waved Serbian flags, while others wore T-shirts displaying the slogan “Students are winning,” reflecting the movement’s growing confidence after months of sustained demonstrations.

The railway station collapse, which claimed the lives of 16 people, has become a powerful symbol for many Serbians who argue that the disaster was not simply an accident but the result of years of alleged corruption, inadequate oversight, and politically driven construction practices. Opposition parties, student organizations, and human rights groups have repeatedly accused the government of failing to ensure accountability and transparency in major public infrastructure projects.

Leaders of the student movement say their campaign has evolved beyond seeking justice for the victims of the station collapse. They now aim to challenge the political dominance of President Vucic and the Serbian Progressive Party in future elections. Parliamentary and presidential elections are currently scheduled for 2027, although Vucic has indicated that he could call early elections within the coming months.

Addressing the crowd, university professor Sanja Belic stressed that democratic reforms remain impossible without a credible electoral process.

“Without free and fair elections, everything else is empty words,” she told demonstrators, drawing loud applause from those gathered in the city center.

The protest movement has continued to accuse the Serbian government of undermining democratic institutions through election manipulation, intimidation of political opponents, restrictions on media freedom, widespread corruption, and alleged links between state officials and organized crime. Government officials, including President Vucic, have consistently rejected those accusations, insisting that Serbia remains committed to democratic governance and the rule of law.

Among those attending the rally was Goran Sajin, a protester in his 50s, who said the demonstrations represented an opportunity for citizens to shape Serbia’s political future.

“We must stand up, express our will, and win; we have no other choice,” he said as crowds continued chanting slogans demanding political change.

While protesters gathered in Novi Sad, President Vucic addressed the nation during a live television broadcast that coincided with the demonstration. Seeking to rally his own supporters, he announced plans for a pro-government gathering on June 27 and urged citizens to remain peaceful despite growing political tensions.

“I invite the people not to show anger toward anyone but to gather under the Serbian flag,” Vucic said, presenting the upcoming event as a demonstration of national unity rather than political confrontation.

The competing rallies highlight the increasingly polarized political climate in Serbia as both supporters and opponents of the government prepare for what could become a pivotal period in the country’s political future.

The ongoing demonstrations also carry significance beyond Serbia’s domestic politics. As an official candidate for membership in the European Union, Serbia is expected to strengthen democratic institutions, uphold judicial independence, improve media freedom, combat corruption, and ensure free and fair elections before advancing further in the accession process.

European officials have repeatedly emphasized that meaningful reforms in governance and the rule of law remain essential for Serbia’s progress toward EU membership. The country is also under continued pressure to align its foreign policy more closely with the European Union, including adopting sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, a step Belgrade has so far declined to take.

With the protest movement showing little sign of fading and calls for early elections growing louder, Serbia faces an increasingly uncertain political landscape. Student organizers have vowed to continue demonstrations until their demands are addressed, while the government insists it remains committed to maintaining stability and constitutional order.

As both sides prepare for further rallies in the coming days, the political standoff is expected to remain one of the defining issues shaping Serbia’s domestic agenda and its relationship with European institutions.