Protesting Government Corruption, Thousands Rally in Serbia Demanding Early Elections

NOVI SAD, Serbia (CNA, Reuters) - Thousands of people gathered in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad today, both to commemorate the 2024 train station roof collapse that killed 16 people and to demand early general elections.

The 2024 incident sparked anti-government protests across Serbia, and these student-led, sometimes violent demonstrations have shaken the 13-year rule of populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party.

Protesters, opposition parties, and human rights groups accuse the train station roof collapse of being the tip of the iceberg, a microcosm of government mismanagement and corruption in the construction industry.

In Novi Sad, Serbia's second-largest city, thousands of demonstrators braved temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius, chanting "Victory" and booing Vucic and the Serbian Progressive Party. Many held signs and wore T-shirts emblazoned with "Students will win."

Participants in the student movement stated they hope to challenge Vucic and the Serbian Progressive Party in the next parliamentary and presidential elections, which are scheduled for 2027. However, Vucic has indicated that he might hold early elections in the coming months.

A university professor from Novi Sad told the crowd, "Without free and fair elections, everything else is just talk."

Protesters and human rights groups also accuse Vucic and government officials of manipulating elections, violently treating opposition figures, suppressing media freedom, engaging in corruption, and having ties to organized crime. Vucic and his allies deny all accusations.

A protester, around 50 years old, said, "We have to stand up, express our will, and achieve victory; we have no other choice."

While the rally was taking place in Novi Sad, Vucic called on his supporters in a televised address to hold a rally on the 27th. He said, "I invite everyone not to be angry... but to unite under the Serbian flag."

Serbia is an EU candidate country. However, for Serbia to join the EU, it must improve its rule of law and judicial system, including ensuring a free and fair electoral environment, combating corruption and organized crime. In addition, the country's foreign policy must align with the European Union, including imposing sanctions on Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine. (Compiled by Tsai Chia-min) 0621

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