Thousands gathered in Novi Sad, Serbia, to commemorate the deaths of 16 people in the 2024 railway station awning collapse and renew calls for snap elections.
The rally was the latest in a wave of student-led anti-government protests that erupted after the collapse of a railway station awning in Novi Sad in 2024. Protesters and opposition groups say the tragedy exposed government mismanagement and corruption, allegations authorities deny.
Thousands gathered in Serbia’s second-largest city despite temperatures reaching around 30C (86F), chanting “Victory” and carrying banners and T-shirts bearing the slogan “Students are winning.”
Activists behind the student-led movement say they intend to challenge Vučić and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in future elections. Parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled for 2027, though Vučić has suggested they could be called earlier.
Protesters and rights groups have also accused the government of election irregularities, restricting media freedom, corruption and links to organised crime. Vucic and his allies reject those claims.
“We must stand up, express our will, and there is no other way. I expect the students to win,” protester Goran Sajin told Reuters.
During a live television broadcast held as the rally took place, Vučić announced that his supporters would hold a counter-rally on June 27.
Serbia is a candidate for European Union membership. As part of its accession process, the country is expected to strengthen the rule of law, improve conditions for free and fair elections, reform the judiciary and tackle corruption and organised crime.
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