Serbia’s New Year celebrations turn into massive anti-govt protest

Belgrade: In a dramatic shift from the usual New Year’s Eve celebrations, tens of thousands of protesters, led by university students, gathered in Belgrade and other Serbian cities to demand political reforms and justice. The protestors’ anger was fueled by the tragic collapse of a concrete canopy at Novi Sad’s central train station on November 1, which resulted in 15 fatalities. The incident has been attributed to corruption and poor construction practices under the populist Serbian leadership, sparking widespread public outcry and calls for accountability.

Students from various universities in Belgrade organized the protest under the slogan "There is No New Year — You Still Owe Us for the Old One," reflecting their deep dissatisfaction with the current government. The protestors, chanting “We Want Justice,” paused at 11:52 pm to observe a moment of silence for the victims of the Novi Sad tragedy. Many carried banners featuring a red handprint, symbolizing the anti-government movement and accusing the authorities of having "blood on their hands."

Earlier, the protesters marched past a state-sponsored concert where crowds were celebrating with folk music, while police stood guard and created barriers to separate the two groups. Despite the festive season, the protesters made it clear that their demand for justice remains urgent and unwavering. The movement has gained traction beyond students, with support from professors, farmers, and actors, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with President Aleksandar Vucic's leadership.

In addition to Belgrade, parallel protests were held in Novi Sad and Nis, with students leading similar gatherings in those cities. Meanwhile, state-sponsored celebrations, including concerts and fireworks, occurred in Belgrade's city center and the new Belgrade Waterfront neighborhood, a development Vucic claims as his project, backed by United Arab Emirates investors.

The protests continued despite the cold weather and fog, with demonstrators joining the student-led movement. This New Year’s Eve protest followed a large rally just over a week ago, one of the biggest in recent years. On December 30, Serbia’s public prosecutor indicted 13 individuals, including a former minister, over the deadly collapse of the train station’s canopy. However, protesters argued that the charges did not go far enough, as they did not include allegations of corruption related to the renovation project that involved Chinese companies.

In response, President Vucic dismissed the protestors' claims. He told pro-government Prva TV that "all student demands have been fulfilled," and emphasized that he is always open to dialogue. Vucic stated, “I have always been ready to talk, but they won’t talk to me; they have no arguments. The prosecutors have fulfilled the last of their demands, all documents they wanted have been published, and nothing happened.” He also expressed confidence that street protests would not overthrow his government.

With PTI inputs