Serbian students continue protests with 80-km march from Belgrade to Novi Sad

Protesting university students in Serbia have embarked on an 80-kilometer march from Belgrade to Novi Sad on Thursday. The march is part of a larger movement that has been gaining momentum across the country.

Upon reaching Novi Sad, the students plan to participate in a 24-hour blockade of the city’s bridges, amplifying their ongoing protests that began in response to a deadly incident which killed 15 people due to the collapse of a train station awning in November 2024.

This event has become a symbol of broader frustration with the state of infrastructure, government accountability, and corruption in Serbia. The protests, now the largest in Serbia in decades, are directed not only at the specific causes of the tragedy but also at the country’s leadership, particularly President Aleksandar Vucic.

Despite several weeks of protests and the resignation of Serbia’s Prime Minister Milos Vucevic earlier this week, students argue that their demands remain unmet. The protests have seen students calling for greater accountability, better safety standards, and a thorough investigation into the causes of the collapse.

Many point to what they view as corruption in infrastructure projects, particularly those involving Chinese companies, as a significant factor contributing to the incident.

In an attempt to ease tensions, President Vucic called for dialogue with the students during a press conference on Monday. “We need to lower the tensions and start talking to each other,” he said, acknowledging the severity of the situation. “Any kind of crisis poses a serious problem for our economy. Such a situation in society is not good for anyone.”