Serbian Protestors Demand Government Resignation
Anti-government protests have erupted in the Serbian cities of Belgrade and Novi Sad after the roof of Novi Sad’s railway station collapsed on November 1, killing 14 people and seriously injuring three.
Among the victims was a six-year-old girl, igniting widespread anger and accusations of government corruption and negligence.
Protestors also accuse the government of nepotism and excessive red tape, all of which President Aleksandar Vučić denies.
Protests began on November 5, drawing around 20,000 to Novi Sad, the capital of the Vojvodina autonomous province, where the incident occurred.
Protestors held signs reading “Corruption kills”, and “Crime, not tragedy”. Tensions escalated at the City Hall where some demonstrators threw red paint and stones, and, after smashing windows, released flares, firecrackers, and sewage water inside the building.
Police responded with tear gas and pepper spray, arresting nine people for rioting and detaining several others.
Serbian President Vučić condemned the violence, stating, “Don’t think for one moment that violence is allowed. All those who participated in this will be punished.”
Opposition activist Miran Pogačar defended the public outrage, saying, “one glass window can be mended, but we cannot bring back 14 lives. People are angry. Serbia won’t stand for this.”
Protestors are demanding the resignation of the government and of Novi Sad mayor, Milan Djurić, as well as the release of all contracts related to the reconstruction of the station, and the inspection of infrastructure projects from the past decade.
In response to the growing public pressure, Goran Vesić, Serbia’s Minister of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure, resigned, citing “moral reasons” but denying responsibility for the tragedy.
Unlike those of Novi Sad, the protests in Belgrade remained peaceful. Protesters planned to submit a motion for Prime Minister Milos Vučević’s resignation at the president’s office, but police were guarding the building.
Opposition leader Borislav Novaković accused the ruling Serbian Progressive Party of corruption, claiming they were “filling their bloody pockets while filling cemeteries in Serbia,” a statement met with chants of “jail” from the crowd.
Jovan Rajić, one of the organisers of the demonstration, stated, “This wasn’t an accident…they were killed by corruption, crime, unpublished contracts, negligence and greed.”
In Novi Sad, a silent protest named “Stop, Novi Sad” saw demonstrators block intersections near the railway station on November 15, holding a large black banner. Activists released 14 black balloons to honour the victims, while Belgrade protestors observed 14 minutes of silence outside the parliament.
Those injured in the collapse remain in critical condition, all having undergone amputation surgeries.
No arrests have been made in relation to the collapse, and opposition MPs are threatening a vote of no confidence if their demands are not met.
Words By: Daniel Spencer