Trade unions join students in anti-government protest in Belgrade

Thousands of trade union workers and students rallied in the streets of Belgrade on Monday, May 1, calling for sweeping political reforms and denouncing government corruption in what has become one of the largest protest movements against President Aleksandar Vučić’s administration in over a decade.

Thousands of trade union workers and students joined together to march through Belgrade on Monday (May 1) to demand changes to Serbia's government.

The May Day protest led by students marked six months since the collapse of a railway station roof that killed 16 people in Novi Sad.

The deadly incident in November has sparked ongoing demonstrations, with protesters denouncing government corruption and incompetence in the biggest challenge to President Alexsandar Vucic's 12-year grip on power.

Workers on the streets of Belgrade on Monday expressed support for the student-led demonstrations.

"The state of affairs in the country is unbearable and this kind of protest simply had to happen," protester Zivota Koprivica said. He emphasised the need to fight against corruption and the current system of government.

Another participant, Ana Anastasijevic, said that students were justified in their demands: "A change in the system, that's exactly what the students are asking for and why I have been on the streets for months."

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