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Vucic under pressure: mass protests after fatal accident in Novi Sad!
Thousands protest in Belgrade against President Vucic after the fatal train accident, demanding resignations and reforms.
Vucic under pressure: mass protests after fatal accident in Novi Sad!
Thousands call for Serbia's leadership to resign after deadly accident!
In a dramatic expression of discontent, tens of thousands of Serbs have gathered in the capital Belgrade to protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). The reason? A devastating accident at a train station in which 15 people lost their lives! Citizens' anger is palpable, and the demands for justice and responsibility are loud and clear!
The protest, one of the largest in recent years, was organized by university students and farmers' associations on Sunday and took place in Slavija Square in Belgrade. The demonstration began with 15 minutes of silence - a moving tribute to the victims of the tragic accident that occurred on November 1st when the roof of the newly renovated train station in Novi Sad collapsed.
A misfortune that raises questions
On that day, 14 people, ranging in age from six to 74, died, and another person died from his injuries in hospital weeks later. Prosecutors have already arrested 13 people, including a government minister. But the minister's release has shaken public trust in the investigation!
The opposition and citizens accuse the government of the disaster being due to poor construction quality, fueled by corruption and nepotism. Vucic and his coalition reject these allegations, but the people are dissatisfied and are demanding consequences!
“Vucic, thief!” protesters shouted, waving their cell phones to create a sea of lights. Posters with slogans such as “We are all under this roof” and “You have blood on your hands” were held up. An IT expert from Novi Sad, Aleksa, 30, said: "We are here to say 'Stop' to everything that has happened since 2012. We want an end to corruption and nepotism!"
A citizen uprising
The protesters are not only demanding the resignation of Vucic and the mayor of Novi Sad, but also the criminal prosecution of those responsible. They also demand that legal action against the demonstrators be dropped and the attackers of the protesters be held accountable!
The wave of protest has also included prominent actors and artists who have joined the demonstrators. Actor Bane Trifunovic described the rally as a “festival of freedom.” Smaller protests also took place in the cities of Nis and Kragujevac!
In order to smooth things over, the authorities have promised various subsidies for young people in recent weeks. But the students and their supporters are dissatisfied and are demanding more than just half-hearted solutions!
Despite the ongoing protests, Vucic inaugurated a new section of highway in central Serbia on Sunday. He remains adamant and rejected opposition calls for an interim government, accusing them of using students for their own power games. “We will defeat them again,” he said. “The opposition doesn’t know what to do except use other people’s children.”
The weeks of protests reflect general unease with Vucic's rule. While he claims to want to bring Serbia into the European Union, he is accused of restricting rather than promoting democratic freedoms. Citizens are determined to fight for their rights and hold those responsible accountable!