On Saturday, hundreds of thousands gathered in the capital of Serbia to voice their outrage following the tragic deaths of 15 individuals in a railway station collapse.
The government reported an attendance of 107,000 at the event in Belgrade, but an independent monitor claimed that the number of participants reached 325,000 or possibly higher, marking it as the largest protest in Serbia’s history.
Novi Sad’s collapse last November sparked significant outrage directed at the government and President Aleksandar Vucic. Protesters attribute the tragic loss of life to corruption and the practice of cutting corners.
The disaster is seen as a culmination of over ten years of governance by the Progressive Party led by Vucic, who has notably linked himself to the recent renovation of the station.
On Saturday, President Vucic delivered a speech to the nation, commending the police for their efforts and expressing pride in maintaining peace.
He expressed that he “understood” the message conveyed by the protesters, stating, “we will have to change ourselves”.
In the wake of numerous resignations, and with Vucic maintaining his stance of remaining in power, the protests have seen a significant increase in participation.
“We just want a country that functions properly,” law student Jana Vasic told the BBC amid the swelling crowd in Belgrade.
There is an apparent demand for institutions to fulfil their responsibilities effectively. The political affiliation of those in power is of little concern to us. What is required is a functioning country, one where justice is not delayed for over four months.
On Saturday, Republic Square, one of four designated meeting points in Serbia’s capital, was bustling with activity as crowds gathered for the “15th for 15” protest.
Some sought shelter at the base of the statue of Prince Mihajlo, a customary gathering place for the people of Belgrade, akin to Eros in London’s Piccadilly Circus.
Individuals formed a queue along the roadway in front of the National Museum, extending back to Students’ Square.
As the planned rendezvous approached in front of the National Assembly, the other meeting points were equally bustling with activity.
The Public Meeting Archive reported that attendance at the protest ranged from 275,000 to 325,000, suggesting that the actual figure could be even more significant.
“The assembly’s extraordinary size, dynamic nature, and structure, coupled with the ambiguous situation in certain areas of the city, render a more precise assessment unattainable,” it stated.
Reports from Serbian media indicate that 22 individuals have been taken into custody, while 56 others have sustained injuries.
The protests following the collapse in Novi Sad, which initially saw student participation, have now garnered support from a diverse group, including taxi drivers, farmers, and lawyers.
In a dramatic scene leading up to the significant protest, motorbike riders gathered outside the National Assembly, confronting the tractors that encircled a camp of pro-government counter-protesters.
A parade of military veterans was met with an enthusiastic reception. Authorities announced intentions to carry out a citizen’s arrest on individuals who assault students.
Students are demanding complete transparency and accountability regarding the recent collapse of a concrete and glass canopy at the station in Serbia’s second city. The station underwent renovations and was reopened by Vucic in 2022.
The government is being called on to make public all documentation associated with the renovation project, as concerns grow over the adequacy of the information released by the authorities to date.
There is a strong demand for accountability, with calls for those responsible for the disaster to face charges and convictions. Prosecutors have indicted at least 16 individuals, including former construction minister Goran Vesic.
The charges remain pending and have not yet proceeded to trial. The students remain steadfast in their commitment to continuing protests until the authorities fully address their demands.
“We are making significant strides,” a student from Belgrade University’s philosophy faculty stated in an interview with the BBC. “At this juncture, none of our demands have been fully addressed.”
“Several politicians have stepped down from their positions,” remarked another. However, they were not dismissed. So far, all we have witnessed are unfulfilled commitments.
At the end of January, Prime Minister Milos Vucevic made a significant announcement regarding his resignation. However, the National Assembly has not yet ratified this, and he continues to hold his position.
However, the proper authority in Serbia rests with Vucic, who maintains that he has no intention of stepping down.
“I refuse to succumb to blackmail,” he stated during a media conference on the eve of the significant protest. ” I refuse to let the streets dictate a bleak future for this nation.”
Vucic characterised the student protests as being driven by good intentions. However, he expressed strong criticism towards opposition parties, describing them as members of a “criminal cartel”. He levelled accusations against them, alleging an effort to impose the establishment of a “fraudulent interim government”.
Borko Stefanovic acknowledges that opposition parties are pursuing the formation of a “government of experts”.
The deputy president of the Party of Freedom and Justice has characterised the proposal as the “only rational way out” of the ongoing political crisis, aiming to create the necessary conditions for new elections.
Stefanovic, echoing the sentiments of fellow opposition leaders, asserts that the Progressive Party’s overwhelming control over the media and state institutions hinders the possibility of free elections.
This, however, does not align with the students’ demands. There is a growing demand for clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding the Novi Sad disaster.
Law professor Miodrag Jovanovic emphasises that “they are asking for the things I’ve been lecturing about – the rule of law, respect for the constitution, and the responsibility and accountability of public officials.”
The outcome of the “15th for 15” protest remains uncertain, yet it appears that the students are determined to persist until they obtain satisfactory answers.
