Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Kragujevac, central Serbia, to mark Statehood Day, as anti-corruption demonstrations continue to gain momentum.
The 15-hour rally on Sunday, organised by students and citizens from across the country, called for justice and accountability following the deadly collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad on 1 November 2024, which claimed 15 lives.
Statehood Day, which commemorates Serbia’s first uprising against the Ottomans and the adoption of its first constitution in 1835, is traditionally a day of national pride. However, this year’s celebrations were overshadowed by escalating political turmoil and widespread public dissatisfaction with the government.
The protest in Kragujevac is the latest in a series of nationwide demonstrations that have intensified since the Novi Sad tragedy. Protesters accuse the government of corruption and cronyism, blaming these issues for the collapse of the recently renovated railway station canopy.
While authorities have attributed the incident to an unforeseeable technical failure, many citizens remain sceptical, demanding greater transparency and accountability.
Kragujevac, a city of historical significance as Serbia’s former capital, hosted one of the largest protests in recent months. Students from cities including Novi Sad, Belgrade, Nis, Kraljevo, Uzice, Novi Pazar, and Cacak travelled for days to attend, with some walking over 150 kilometres to join the rally.
Accusations of foreign interference
On the same day, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić addressed a pro-government rally in Sremska Mitrovica, framing the ongoing protests as an attempt to destabilise the country. Vučić, who faces mounting political pressure, accused the demonstrators of being part of a foreign-backed effort to instigate a “colour revolution.”
He also claimed, without evidence, that the protests were secretly advocating for the separation of the northern province of Vojvodina.
Serbia is under attack from both inside and outside.
The growing unrest has already led to the resignation of several high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and Novi Sad Mayor Milan Djurić.
The student-led movement has outlined four key demands: the release of all documents related to the renovation of the Novi Sad railway station, prosecution of those responsible for violence against protesters in previous demonstrations, an end to legal proceedings against arrested students, and a 20% increase in the higher education budget.
As protests show no signs of abating, Serbia braces for further unrest. A mass protest is already scheduled for 1 March in Nis, signalling that the movement will continue to challenge Vučić’s leadership in the weeks and months ahead.
