Thousands of people took to the streets of Serbia on Saturday as university students announced a new phase in their campaign against President Aleksandar Vučić, marking more than a year of mass demonstrations that have challenged his increasingly autocratic government.
In Novi Sad, protesters chanted slogans such as “thieves,” accusing the government of widespread corruption. Many linked government negligence to the November 2024 train station disaster in the northern city, which claimed 16 lives and fueled a nationwide call for political accountability.
Vučić, who has led Serbia for over a decade, has resisted calls for immediate early elections, prompting frustration among students and civic activists. Reports indicate that hundreds of demonstrators have been detained, and others have faced workplace pressure or job loss for opposing the administration.
Addressing the crowd in Novi Sad, student leaders outlined a roadmap to combat corruption and restore the rule of law. Their proposals include barring corrupt officials from political office and conducting thorough investigations into the wealth of current and former politicians. The initiative, dubbed “What Victory Will Mean,” seeks to ensure accountability in a potential post-Vučić government.
Last month, the movement claimed to have collected roughly 400,000 signatures supporting their push for early elections. Organizers have announced the next major protest for January 27 in Belgrade, signaling the campaign will continue into the new year.
Vučić initially rose to power promising European Union integration but has since strengthened political and economic ties with Russia and China. Critics accuse him of restricting democratic freedoms while allowing corruption and organized crime to thrive.
The student-led protests have resonated with many Serbs frustrated with the political establishment. Vučić, however, has dismissed the movement as being influenced by unspecified Western powers seeking to “destroy Serbia.”
Analysts say the persistence and organization of the student movement reflect growing public impatience with entrenched corruption, and the coming weeks could be pivotal for Serbia’s political future.
