Students occupying faculties in Novi Sad have announced a major protest for January 17, which will take place at Freedom Square (Trg slobode). According to information obtained by local media, attendees will have the opportunity to see firsthand the “first tangible results” of months-long student activism and learn how the movement plans to continue its actions.
The students ended 2025 with the action “Declare Victory”, during which they collected 400,000 citizen signatures in a single day on December 28. Although they were already aware of strong public support, organizers say that this event solidified their confidence and legitimacy.
“It’s Time to Justify the Trust of the People”
As a result, students in Novi Sad decided to organize a large-scale protest in their city, aiming to demonstrate to citizens what has been achieved so far and what comes next.
“It is clear that we have the support of the people, and now it is time to justify it. Citizens must understand what victory truly means — responsibility,” students told Nova.rs.
They emphasize that responsibility is the core concept behind their demands, arguing that they have clearly shown how deeply corruption is embedded in all spheres of Serbian society.
Criticism of Institutions and Elites
According to the students:
- The judiciary is captured
- Public officials face no accountability for human rights violations
- Politicians and businessmen continue to enrich themselves, while ordinary citizens bear the consequences of systemic failure
“Students have a solution,” they say.
Concrete Mechanisms for Accountability
The students claim they have developed specific mechanisms that can directly lead to accountability for individuals who abuse public office and violate the law on a daily basis.
These mechanisms, they say, will be presented publicly at the January 17 protest, organized by students in blockade at the University of Novi Sad.
“Everyone who attends will be able to see live the first fruits of what we have fought for together over these months, and how we will continue moving forward,” the students stated.
The protest was initially announced on social media, accompanied by a brief message saying that the time has come to concretize their struggle.
