Clash of crowds opposing government and law enforcement's brutality in Serbia

Protests Against Government Continue in Serbia Amidst Accusations of Corruption and Autocracy

Thousands of people are protesting against the government of President Aleksandar Vucic in Serbia's capital, Belgrade, as well as outside the government building, the Supreme Court, and several interior ministry facilities. The ongoing protests, which have lasted for over ten months, were sparked by the collapse of a freshly renovated train station canopy in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024.

The protesters are accusing the government of corruption and autocracy, with their anger particularly directed at the police's recent violent intervention in Novi Sad. Last Friday, police used tear gas, stun grenades, and batons against peaceful protesters in Novi Sad, an incident that has further fuelled the protests.

The collapse of the train station canopy resulted in the deaths of 16 people, and independent experts and opposition figures blame shoddy workmanship and corruption under the Vucic government for the tragedy. The opposition figures accuse the government of being responsible for the shoddy workmanship that led to the canopy's collapse.

The opposition politician who has played a leading role in recent months' protests in Serbia is Dragan Đilas. Other notable opposition leaders include Vuk Jeremić and Boško Obradović.

In Novi Sad, the protest escalated at the building of the local Philosophy Faculty. The pro-government dean of the Philosophy Faculty, with the help of police, forced students to leave a building they had occupied for nine months. The protesters are accusing the dean of supporting the government and using police force to suppress their voices.

The government continues to claim that protesters had attacked police officers in Novi Sad. However, the protesters deny these allegations and claim that they were peacefully protesting when the police intervened violently.

The protests show no signs of slowing down, with the protesters demanding the resignation of President Vucic and an end to corruption and autocracy in Serbia. The government's response to the protests, particularly the use of force against peaceful protesters, has only served to further inflame the situation. As the protests continue, it remains to be seen how the government will respond and whether any changes will be made to address the protesters' demands.