Protests in Belgrade: Remembering the victims of the roof accident in Novi Sad!

Protests in Belgrade: Remembering the victims of the roof accident in Novi Sad!

In Belgrade, on November 1, 2024, the anniversary of the tragic roof collapse of the main train station in Novi Sad, thousands of people demonstrated to commemorate the 16 victims who lost their lives in this accident. The protests were marked not only by sadness, but also by growing political dissatisfaction with the government under President Aleksandar Vučić. After the collapse of the train station led to the largest anti-government protests in decades, the demonstrations continue around a year later. People blame corruption within the government for the disaster, which was aggravated by the awarding of renovation work to government-affiliated companies without transparent tendering.

On Wednesday, both government supporters and demonstrators critical of the government gathered in the Serbian capital. Supporters of the ruling SNS were taken to Belgrade in chartered buses, while anti-government protesters, led by Dijana Hrka, the mother of one of the victims, formed a crowd estimated at 3,000 people. Dijana Hrka, who went on hunger strike during the demonstration, is demanding accountability for her son's death and an investigation into the accident, the causes of which remain unclear to this day.

Riots and protest movements

Since the accident, protests have been taking place regularly in Serbia. People from different age groups, including school and university students, have come together to fight against the grievances and authoritarian structures in the country. Political analysts emphasize that discontent is being fueled not only by the specific incident, but also by generally rising inflation, an energy crisis and a perceived lack of prospects among citizens. These factors are contributing to growing calls for new elections, although the government has been reluctant to take steps in this direction.

The demonstration on November 1 represents a central point in the fight against corruption. At 11:52 a.m., the time of the collapse, many people across Serbia paused for 16 minutes to remember the victims. During this period of commemoration it became clear that the protest movement was strongly directed against the government's strict policies, which the EU perceived as autocratic. President Vučić, under pressure, has recognized this as a challenge for his government and is trying to respond to the protesting voices with repressive measures.

At the rally, temporary fences were erected around gatherings of government supporters for security, while a heavy police presence maintained order. This intimidation is leading many to question how much freedom remains in a nation where the judiciary is perceived as lacking independence.

Žarko Milovanović, a participant from Kosovo who also joined the protests, left no doubt that solidarity also exists between ethnic groups. He expressed his support for President Vučić at a time when Serbia has never recognized Kosovo's independence. This shows that the demonstrations are not only focused on the specific disaster, but also on the larger political and ethical issues in the country.