Novi Sad [Serbia], January 18 (ANI): Thousands of people rallied in Serbia’s city of Novi Sad as university students, who have been spearheading more than a year of mass protests, vowed to continue their campaign against what they describe as endemic corruption under the leadership of right-wing nationalist President Aleksandar Vucic, Al Jazeera reported.
Demonstrators chanted “thieves” and accused the government of widespread corruption. Addressing the gathering on Saturday, student leaders said they had drafted a plan to tackle corruption and restore the rule of law.
According to Al Jazeera, the students proposed banning corrupt officials from politics and investigating their wealth as initial steps under a post-Vucic government. The rally was held under the banner “What Victory Will Mean.”
Students said they had gathered around 400,000 signatures last month in support of their election bid, Al Jazeera reported. Organisers said the next protest rally is scheduled for January 27 in Belgrade.
Student-led demonstrations have continued across Serbia since a November 2024 railway station disaster in the north that killed 16 people when a roof collapsed in Novi Sad, an incident that has become a symbol of entrenched corruption, according to Al Jazeera.
In the criminal case linked to the collapse, 13 people, including former Construction Minister Goran Vesic, were charged. However, the Novi Sad High Court dropped charges against Vesic last month, citing a lack of evidence.
A separate anti-corruption inquiry is ongoing, alongside a European Union-backed probe into the alleged misuse of EU funds for the project.
In November, tens of thousands marked the first anniversary of the roof collapse in Novi Sad, holding 16 minutes of silence in memory of the 16 victims.
The protests have led to the resignation of the prime minister, the collapse of his government, and the formation of a new administration, while President Vucic has remained in office.
Vucic has rejected allegations of corruption and has frequently described demonstrators as foreign-funded coup plotters. Members of his Serbian Progressive Party have also promoted conspiracy theories suggesting the collapse may have been an orchestrated attack.
Vucic has declined to announce an immediate early election demanded by students. Reports say hundreds of protesters have been detained, while others have alleged job losses or pressure for opposing the government.
Vucic has been in power for more than a decade, initially pledging to steer Serbia toward the European Union, but has since deepened ties with Russia and China. He has faced allegations of suppressing democratic freedoms and allowing corruption and organized crime to flourish.
The student movement has drawn significant support from citizens disillusioned with mainstream politics. Vucic has accused the students of acting under unnamed Western instructions to “destroy Serbia.” (ANI)
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