Foreign media have widely covered the mass protests in Niš, where tens of thousands of demonstrators joined students demanding justice and an end to corruption. Many were heard chanting, “We deserve better!”
According to the Associated Press (AP), students from Serbian universities have been staging nationwide protests since the November collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad, which killed 15 people. Critics blame the government’s corruption for the disaster. The protests, gathering tens of thousands daily, have shaken the firm grip of President Aleksandar Vučić, who has dismissed them as a Western-backed attempt to overthrow him.
“Students want institutions that work for all, not against us,” AP cites a student statement. “We demand a system that values knowledge and hard work, not obedience and silence.”
Today’s rally in Niš, described as a festival-like event, is set to last 18 hours. Students have framed it as a wake-up call for action, promising: “We will never give up!”
Growing Support and Political Impact
AP highlights the broad public support students have gained among citizens frustrated with mainstream politicians and disillusioned with the lack of democratic progress. Serbia remains on the official path to EU membership, but Vučić and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) are accused of stifling democratic freedoms and fostering widespread corruption.
In Niš, locals warmly welcomed students and high schoolers who arrived after days of marching from various regions. These marches have resonated deeply even in rural areas traditionally loyal to the government. “Everywhere students appeared, they were greeted with food, drinks, and emotional embraces,” AP reports.
One elderly protester from Belgrade told AP: “Here, there is love. Here, there is joy. Here, there is everything. Here is the future.”
International Perspectives on the Movement
The Agence France-Presse (AFP) describes today’s protest as a continuation of months-long student demonstrations against corruption. From early morning, Niš residents set up food and drink stalls, waving anti-corruption banners and blowing whistles.
“We are waiting for change,” said Aleksandar Aranđelović, a 34-year-old lawyer from Niš, adding that he admired the incredible energy of the protests.
According to AFP, the collapsed railway station canopy in Novi Sad has become a symbol of Serbia’s corruption, sparking national outrage. The movement has increased pressure on the Serbian government, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević in January.
Reuters also reports on the protests, emphasizing that the demonstrations have expanded beyond students, with teachers, farmers, and workers joining in solidarity.
“We want a better country, without corruption, where educated people are respected,” said Ana, a 20-year-old medical student from Kragujevac.
The Serbian government has denied corruption allegations and announced an anti-corruption campaign. However, students are demanding full transparency, including the release of official documents related to the railway station collapse. They are also calling for:
- Justice for those responsible for the tragedy
- The dropping of charges against protesting students
- Increased funding for higher education
Despite government resistance, the protests continue, signaling one of the biggest challenges to Vučić’s rule in recent years.
