Tens of thousands of people marched through Belgrade on Friday to mark the deaths of 15 victims in a railway station disaster and to support a student-led call for a general strike aimed at challenging Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić's hold on power.
Daily protests led by students have spread over the past four months to most of the country, following a collapse of an awning in a newly renovated train station in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city, in which 15 people were killed.
Some businesses, artists, union activists and civic groups answered the students' call to strike on Friday. But public services, state institutions, most companies and shops across Serbia remained operational.
In Belgrade, demonstrators marched through the city centre, blowing whistles and horns and carrying banners with slogans reading “Corruption kills” and “Blood is on your hands”.
Nikolic said his firm's director told employees they were free to join the strike if they wish.
Some businesses, artists, union activists and civic groups answered the students' call to strike on Friday. But public services, state institutions, most companies and shops across Serbia remained operational.
In Belgrade, demonstrators marched through the city centre, blowing whistles and horns and carrying banners with slogans reading “Corruption kills” and “Blood is on your hands”.
"This corrupt monster of a regime, this corrupt blob, must be forced to operate as it should or be brought down," said Bane Nikolic, 29, a software developer.#BREAKING #Serbia Protests in support of students are underway in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.
— The National Independent (@NationalIndNews) March 6, 2025
Protests in Serbia have now become almost a daily event. pic.twitter.com/4gHEbxglA3
Nikolic said his firm's director told employees they were free to join the strike if they wish.
Just a reminder as people feel powerless against the continued rise of tyranny, here's #Belgrade, #Serbia today. Protests against the corrupt autocracy there. It's been going on for months with little media coverage. Liberty will win everywhere eventually, but it has to be won pic.twitter.com/YlSSb0TnxZ
— AlekKnezevic (@DocFilmNews) March 7, 2025
On Friday, Vučić said he spoke by phone with Russia's leader Vladimir Putin about what he described as "a colored revolution," a reference to popular uprisings in former Soviet states, and that he received Putin's backing.
Many Serbians attribute the Novi Sad disaster to rampant corruption, which they tie to the decade-long leadership of Vučić and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
They also accuse Vučić and SNS of ties with organized crime, stifling media freedoms and violence against political opponents. Vučić and his allies deny that.
The government has said it launched an anti-corruption drive following the train station disaster, arresting dozens on graft charges.
Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and two ministers have resigned amid the unrest, while prosecutors have charged 13 people over the train station collapse.
Following large protests in three major cities – Novi Sad, Kragujevac, and Nis – students announced a mass demonstration in Belgrade for March 15.
Student demands include releasing documents related to the train station disaster and accountability for those responsible.
Many Serbians attribute the Novi Sad disaster to rampant corruption, which they tie to the decade-long leadership of Vučić and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
They also accuse Vučić and SNS of ties with organized crime, stifling media freedoms and violence against political opponents. Vučić and his allies deny that.
The government has said it launched an anti-corruption drive following the train station disaster, arresting dozens on graft charges.
Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and two ministers have resigned amid the unrest, while prosecutors have charged 13 people over the train station collapse.
Following large protests in three major cities – Novi Sad, Kragujevac, and Nis – students announced a mass demonstration in Belgrade for March 15.
Student demands include releasing documents related to the train station disaster and accountability for those responsible.
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