Serbia has been engulfed by protests during this weekend with massive protests taking place in Belgrade and many other cities and towns. Serbian journalists stated that this is the first time since protests are so widespread since the fall of Slobodan Milošević.
The protests, which have been lead by students, have now escalated with protesters calling for a general strike. The protests were ignited after a railway canopy in the city of Novi Sad collapsed killing up to 14 people. The railway station was built by Chinese, Hungarian and Serbian contractors and the government made a lot of PR about it. The government has also detained the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Goran Vesic along with dozens of others over the tragedy, but no Court arraignments have been made so far.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is trying to pacify students with new schemes such as cheap loans, while the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the student protests.
Students are protesting for rule of law but are also calling for the resignation of the government and for Serbia to adopt pro-EU policies. Mass protests against President Vučić started in late 2023 after his incumbent-ruling party rigged the parliamentary elections.
Newsroom
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