Tens of thousands of Serbians took to the streets of Belgrade on Monday in a silent march to honor the 16 victims of a train station roof collapse in Novi Sad nearly a year ago. The demonstration marked the latest chapter in a wave of anti-government protests that have gripped the country for months, with growing demands for accountability and snap parliamentary elections.
From Tragedy to Movement
The protests began nine months ago as peaceful vigils for the victims of the collapse, but have since evolved into one of the largest displays of dissent in Serbia since the country’s transition to democracy. What started as calls for justice have widened into a broader movement against what critics describe as systemic corruption, authoritarian governance, and abuse of power by President Aleksandar Vučić and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
Government Response and Rising Tensions
Authorities have dismissed the demonstrations as a foreign-backed “color revolution” and denied allegations of police repression. Yet reports of police violence, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation tactics continue to surface. Human rights groups say hundreds of protesters have been detained, with many injured during roadblock actions and civil disobedience campaigns.
In a controversial move, the government has also promoted a pro-regime student group called “Students 2.0” – nicknamed “Students Who Want to Study” – which activists allege includes non-students and enjoys heavy police protection. Opposition figures accuse the government of attempting to provoke unrest in order to justify imposing martial law and discrediting the movement.
Protesters Adapt and Persist
Despite repression, demonstrators have adapted their tactics to sustain momentum. Protesters frequently relocate blockades to avoid confrontation with police, organize in shifts, and use passive resistance to keep pressure on the authorities. The silent march in Belgrade was widely seen as a symbolic act of unity, with participants carrying candles and banners calling for “Justice” and “Elections Now.”
Mounting Pressure on Vučić
Political analysts warn that while the protest movement lacks a centralized leadership, its persistence and scale are unprecedented. Estimates suggest that more than 300,000 citizens have participated in rallies nationwide since the start. Opposition leaders and civil society groups insist that early elections are the minimum condition for resolving what they call Serbia’s deepening political and social crisis.
For now, President Vučić remains defiant, vowing that Serbia will “continue to grow rapidly” and rejecting claims of looming instability. But with protests spreading and anger intensifying, many believe the government faces one of its toughest challenges in over a decade.
