Serbia university protests: Student movement grows as thousands rally in Novi Pazar

Protests over alleged political pressure on universities drew thousands of students and civic activists to Novi Pazar, Serbia, on 21 December, with demonstrators opposing disciplinary measures against students and academics involved in earlier protests.

Organisers said more than 200 students had their university status revoked and around 30 professors dismissed, measures they say were linked to participation in anti-government protests.

Supporters of the movement have criticised the actions as repression.

Protesters called for the resignation of the governing board of the State University of Novi Pazar and the appointment of a new rector.

The demonstrations form part of a broader protest movement triggered by the collapse of a railway station roof in the northern city of Novi Sad on 1 November 2024, according to local media.

Sixteen people were killed in the incident, which sparked nationwide protests over corruption, governance failures and public safety.

Participants in Novi Pazar held a moment of silence for the victims of the Novi Sad tragedy and carried flags representing towns and universities, presenting the rally as part of a wider campaign for academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

Protests have since drawn tens of thousands of supporters in Belgrade and other cities, expanding beyond university campuses into broader anti-government demonstrations, including calls for greater transparency and accountability.

The administration of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has denied accusations of political interference in universities or the suppression of dissent.

Critics, however, say longstanding problems such as corruption and restrictions on media and institutional freedoms continue to fuel public anger.

Students and citizens attend a protest over alleged government pressure on the State University of Novi Pazar in Novi Pazar, Serbia, 21 December, 2025

Reuters

The student movement began with blockades and sit-ins at university faculties following the Novi Sad incident and has since become one of the most sustained waves of protest in Serbia in recent years.

The rallies have drawn attention from regional and international observers, who have expressed concern about democratic backsliding and civil liberties.

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