Students and supporters of Serbia’s populist president, Aleksandar Vučić, marked Serbia’s Statehood Day with parallel rallies featuring sharply opposing messages, as reported by the Associated Press (AP).
The student-led protest is part of a broader anti-corruption movement reflecting mounting demands for significant political change in the country. The wave of discontent was sparked by the tragic deaths of 15 people in the collapse of a shelter at the Novi Sad train station on November 1.
Tens of thousands of people flocked to Kragujevac from across the country, demanding justice for the victims and calling for an end to pervasive corruption and respect for the rule of law. Local residents greeted the students with enthusiasm, offering food, refreshments, and shelter, with many expressing hope for change.
At the same time, Vučić’s rally in Sremska Mitrovica was expected to recycle traditional nationalist themes, warning that the “West” is attempting to overthrow him, which could lead to the country’s disintegration. Authorities organized transport for thousands of Vučić’s supporters from all over Serbia and neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina, with opposition activists planning to block their arrival.
AP highlights that the anti-corruption movement represents the greatest challenge to Vučić in recent years. The president and his Progressive Party of Serbia have been accused of suppressing democratic freedoms, discrediting political opponents, and electoral irregularities, which have been confirmed by international election monitors.
The shelter collapse, believed by many to be the result of corruption within state structures, has become a symbol of broader discontent with the authoritarian government, with students taking the lead. Their determination, youth, and creativity have resonated with citizens disillusioned with the political scene.
AP notes that charges have been filed against 13 individuals over the incident, and protests have led to the resignation of the prime minister. However, students have vowed not to stop until all those responsible are held accountable.
In the past three months, Vučić’s rhetoric has shifted, from accusing students of working for foreign powers to offering concessions and claiming he had met all their demands. Yet, during a recent visit to Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina, he reiterated claims of an alleged foreign conspiracy to overthrow him and his government, without providing evidence for these accusations.
Vučić’s visit to Republika Srpska appeared to be aimed at emphasizing unity with Serbs in Bosnia, where the 1990s attempt to create a pan-European Serbian state is believed to have triggered a bloody war, killing over 100,000 people and forcing millions to flee their homes.
