In a significant development, Serbian students have announced the end of their protest blockade on the Freedom Bridge in Novi Sad. This demonstration marked three months since the tragic collapse of the train station roof in the city, an incident that claimed 15 lives and ignited a nationwide anti-corruption movement.
The protest, which began on Saturday, was part of a series of mass demonstrations that have swept across Serbia following the November tragedy. The collapse of the station roof, which occurred after extensive renovations, has fueled widespread anger over corruption and inadequate oversight in construction projects.
Student organizers conducted a vote with local residents and decided to end the blockade later on Sunday. They planned to clean the area occupied by demonstrators, as reported by an AFP correspondent on the ground.
On Saturday, thousands rallied in Novi Sad, blocking roads and occupying bridges before converging on the city’s main crossing, the Freedom Bridge, for a day-long blockade. The university student-led movement has exerted increasing pressure on the government, leading to the resignation of several high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Milos Vucevic earlier this week.
The prime minister’s resignation followed an earlier 24-hour blockade at a major traffic intersection in the capital, Belgrade. This was preceded by a general strike that saw schools and small businesses close across the country.
The collapse of the station roof in Novi Sad, which occurred after extensive renovations, has fueled long-standing anger in Serbia over corruption and the alleged lack of oversight in construction projects. President Aleksandar Vucic and other government officials have alternated between calling for talks and accusing foreign powers of backing the demonstrators.
In response to the protests, the government has sought to meet several of the student organizers’ demands. These measures have included releasing a raft of documents related to the renovations at the station, pardoning protesters arrested at rallies, boosting funding for higher education, and launching criminal proceedings against suspects accused of attacking demonstrators.
Despite these concessions, protesters continue to call for the release of more documents linked to the renovation and greater transparency into the ongoing investigation into the roof’s collapse. The student-led movement remains a significant force in Serbia’s political landscape, reflecting widespread public dissatisfaction with government corruption and the demand for greater accountability.
