On December 22, 2024, tens of thousands of Serbian citizens gathered in Belgrade’s Slavija Square to protest against President Aleksandar Vučić and his government. This rally, one of the largest in recent years, was organized by students and farmer unions in response to the November 1 collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad, which resulted in 15 fatalities. Protesters attribute the tragedy to widespread corruption and substandard construction practices.
The demonstration began with a 15-minute silence to honor the victims, followed by chants accusing the government of having “blood on their hands.” Participants demanded accountability from President Vučić and other officials, calling for justice for those responsible for the collapse. Notably, prominent Serbian theater and film actors joined the protest, with actor Bane Trifunović describing the rally as “a festival of freedom.”
In a show of confidence, President Vučić inaugurated a section of a newly built highway in central Serbia on the same day, stating he would not yield to opposition demands for a transitional government. He accused his opponents of using students to attempt to seize power, asserting, “We will beat them again.”
The protests have garnered nationwide support, including from professors, media personalities, lawyers, and other prominent individuals. Despite President Vučić’s efforts to appease protesters by offering favorable loans for young people and arresting individuals involved in the Novi Sad incident, public skepticism remains high. The government’s extension of school winter holidays and suspension of university classes reflect the ongoing unrest, with students camping inside faculty buildings and high school students joining the movement.
These events underscore a broader dissatisfaction with President Vučić’s administration, with citizens demanding greater transparency, accountability, and democratic freedoms.
President Aleksandar Vučić was first elected as the President of Serbia on April 2, 2017, winning the election in the first round with about 55% of the vote. He officially assumed office on May 31, 2017.
Vučić was re-elected for a second term in the presidential election held on April 3, 2022, again winning in the first round with approximately 60% of the vote.
