Serbian Students Lead Historic Protests Against Corruption and Government Failures

The movement, sparked by a deadly railway station collapse, has grown into a nationwide call for accountability and systemic change.

The protests began in response to the collapse of Novi Sad’s railway station canopy in November 2024, which killed 15 people and was attributed to corruption and negligence in a Chinese-funded reconstruction project.
Student-led demonstrations have grown into the largest protest movement in Serbia’s history, with tens of thousands participating in strikes, marches, and road blockades across the country.
Key demands include the release of internal documents related to the railway station project, prosecution of those responsible, the release of detained protesters, and increased funding for public higher education.
The protests have already led to the resignations of Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and Novi Sad Mayor Milan Đurić, though demonstrators remain focused on broader systemic reforms and the removal of President Aleksandar Vučić.
The movement has gained widespread support from various sectors of society and has highlighted public frustration with government corruption, authoritarianism, and economic hardship, particularly among young people.