Tens of thousands gathered on Saturday in Niš, a city in southern Serbia, to pay tribute to the victims of a recent railway station tragedy in Novi Sad and to participate in a student protest that, due to its scale, has become the most significant threat to the government of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, according to Reuters.
The mass demonstrations have gained momentum over the past four months since 15 people died when a newly renovated railway station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city. Many Serbs believe corruption caused the canopy’s collapse, with responsibility attributed to Vučić’s decade-long government.
Farmers, workers, and religious groups joined the protests, which began in December with a student blockade of university classes.
The Serbian government has rejected accusations of corruption.
Among the protesters in Niš were students Anja and Ana, who walked 130 kilometers from Bor to join the demonstration.
“By walking to Niš, we believe we’ve awakened Serbia. This is not the society we want to live in; we want a better future,” they stated.
Reuters also noted that Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and two other ministers resigned due to the protests occurring in Belgrade and other cities across the country.
The Prosecutor’s Office has charged 13 people in connection with the canopy collapse, but this has not stopped the student protests.
The protesters demand that authorities release documents related to the collapse, justice for the responsible parties, the dropping of charges against student demonstrators, and an increase in the budget for higher education.
In an effort to garner support for the government, President Vučić is touring eastern Serbia, reassuring farmers and citizens that there will be no “color revolution.” On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin accused Western intelligence agencies of attempting to organize such a revolution, Reuters concluded.
