Intense Conflicts Break out in Novi Sad
The city of Novi Sad, Serbia, has been at the centre of a significant protest movement since the collapse of a freshly renovated train station canopy on November 1, 2024, which tragically claimed the lives of 16 people. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, leading to almost daily demonstrations and traffic blockades, mostly led by students.
The University of Novi Sad has become a focal point for these protests, with the Philosophy Faculty serving as the epicentre of demonstrations for over a week. The clashes between police and protesters occurred due to unknown individuals throwing objects at police officers near the Philosophy Faculty building. Thousands of peaceful protesters were violently dispersed from the campus by gendarmes and police, using tear gas, batons, and stun grenades.
Independent experts and opposition figures have been quick to blame shoddiness and corruption under the Vučić regime for the train station disaster. The current protest movement in Serbia is the largest and longest-lasting since the breakup of Yugoslavia. Until this summer, the protests were largely peaceful, but there have been increasing incidents of violent clashes.
The leader of the Serbian government, who took harsh measures against the protests on the University of Novi Sad campus, is Prime Minister Đuro Macut. He has been in office since April 2025. The pro-government dean of the Philosophy Faculty forced students to leave the building under police escort, after they had occupied it for nine months.
The protesters are demanding early elections and are putting significant pressure on President Aleksandar Vučić and his government. Students have occupied almost all universities in the country, with the University of Novi Sad being one of the most affected. The opposition accuses the government of shoddiness and corruption, with the train station disaster being just one example.
As the protests continue, the future of the Vučić regime remains uncertain. The people of Serbia are calling for change, demanding accountability and a voice in their government. The ongoing protests in Novi Sad serve as a reminder of the power of the people and the importance of transparency and integrity in government.
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