Serbia Divided: Student Protests Clash with Vucic’s Rally \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Serbia’s Statehood Day was marked by two competing rallies: a student-led anti-corruption protest in Kragujevac and a pro-government gathering in Sremska Mitrovica. The student protests, triggered by a deadly infrastructure collapse, have grown into a broader movement against corruption and authoritarian rule. Meanwhile, President Aleksandar Vucic accused foreign powers of attempting a “color revolution” to overthrow him.
Serbia’s Political Divide on Statehood Day: Quick Looks
- Student Protests Gain Momentum: Thousands rallied in Kragujevac, demanding justice over corruption and democratic reforms.
- Pro-Vucic Rally: The president held a separate gathering, accusing foreign powers of trying to unseat him.
- Origins of the Unrest: The movement began after a railway station collapse in Novi Sad killed 15 people, exposing alleged corruption.
- Historical Symbolism: Students chose Kragujevac for their protest, as it was where Serbia’s first constitution was announced in 1835.
- Vucic’s Response: The president labeled the protests a “failed revolution” and claimed billions were invested to remove him.
- Political Landscape: The anti-graft movement presents the biggest challenge to Vucic’s decade-long grip on power.
Deep Look
Serbia marked its Statehood Day with two competing rallies, highlighting the nation’s deepening political divide. In Kragujevac, thousands of students led an anti-corruption demonstration, demanding accountability for a deadly infrastructure collapse that has come to symbolize government mismanagement. Meanwhile, President Aleksandar Vucic held a pro-government rally in Sremska Mitrovica, where he dismissed the protests as a foreign-backed attempt to overthrow him.
The growing student-led movement represents the most significant challenge to Vucic’s rule in recent years, as demands for justice have escalated into a broader call for systemic political change.
The Catalyst: A Deadly Infrastructure Collapse
The protests were ignited by the November 1 collapse of a concrete canopy at a railway station in Novi Sad, which killed 15 people. Many Serbians view the disaster as a direct result of government corruption and negligence.
The tragedy triggered nationwide anger, particularly among university students, who have taken the lead in organizing protests. Their movement has since expanded into a wider call for democratic reforms, transparency, and an end to political corruption.
A Historic Protest Site: Why Kragujevac?
Students deliberately chose Kragujevac for their rally due to its historical significance. In 1835, while Serbia was still under Ottoman rule, Kragujevac was the site where a new constitution was announced, aiming to limit the powers of the ruling elite.
The symbolic connection between past and present was not lost on demonstrators, many of whom view the current government as an oppressive force suppressing democratic freedoms.
Thousands of citizens traveled from across the country to join the rally, many inspired by the determination and creativity of the student movement. Some walked, ran, or cycled to the event, while others provided food and accommodation along the way. Many supporters were seen crying, expressing both solidarity and hope for change.
Vucic’s Counter-Rally: Accusations of a Foreign Plot
In stark contrast to the anti-corruption protests, Vucic held a pro-government rally in Sremska Mitrovica, where he claimed the student uprising was part of an international conspiracy to destabilize Serbia.
Before the event, Vucic warned that the West was trying to overthrow him by force, which he argued could lead to the breakup of Serbia. Speaking to thousands of supporters, he called the student protests “the dirtiest color revolution in the history of mankind,” drawing comparisons to past uprisings in Eastern Europe.
Vucic’s Claims: A “Failed Revolution”
During his speech, Vucic alleged—without presenting evidence—that more than 3 billion euros ($3.14 billion) had been invested from abroad to remove him from power. He confidently declared that the student-led protests had already failed, linking his survival to the return of Donald Trump to the White House.
“They have already lost, they don’t see how the political wheel has already turned,” Vucic said. “Unless they kill me.”
He also vowed to retaliate against those behind the alleged coup attempt, promising to write a book about how he “destroyed” the student uprising, which he claimed would be published globally, including in China.
Mass Mobilization and Government Supporters Bused In
To ensure a strong turnout, authorities organized transport for thousands of government supporters, busing in attendees from across Serbia and neighboring Bosnia. The rally in Sremska Mitrovica included speeches from nationalist leaders, reinforcing Vucic’s message of Serbian unity against foreign interference.
One of the most controversial appearances at the rally was from Bosnian Serb separatist leader Milorad Dodik, who openly called for the secession of Serbs in Bosnia to join Serbia.
“We love Serbia,” Dodik declared, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
Growing Pressure on Vucic’s Rule
The student-led anti-corruption movement has become the biggest political challenge to Vucic’s decade-long rule. Critics have long accused him and his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of stifling democratic freedoms, silencing opposition voices, and manipulating elections.
International election monitors have previously raised concerns about the fairness of Serbian elections, citing irregularities, media bias, and intimidation tactics.
Although prosecutors have charged 13 individuals over the Novi Sad railway station collapse, the students remain unconvinced. They argue that true justice can only be achieved through broader governmental reforms and continued pressure on those in power.
Mixed Responses from Vucic: Concessions and Crackdowns
Over the past three months, Vucic’s response to the protests has fluctuated between dismissing them as foreign-backed sabotage and offering minor concessions to pacify demonstrators. While his government has taken limited steps toward accountability, the president remains defiant, rejecting any suggestion of systemic corruption within his administration.
Serbia’s Political Future: What Comes Next?
The ongoing protests have added to Serbia’s mounting political instability. With Vucic doubling down on nationalist rhetoric and dismissing opposition movements as foreign conspiracies, tensions are unlikely to ease soon.
The students leading the anti-corruption movement have vowed to continue their demonstrations until their demands for full accountability and systemic reforms are met. Whether their movement can sustain momentum or force lasting political change remains uncertain.
One thing, however, is clear: Serbia’s political landscape is more polarized than ever, with its citizens caught between a rising pro-democracy movement and a president determined to maintain his grip on power.
Serbia Divided
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