On November 1, 2024, in Serbia, a concrete canopy collapsed killing 15 people at a train station recently renovated in a collaborative effort involving Serbia, Hungary, and China. Coming on the heels of two mass shootings in 2023, this incident has ignited widespread public dissatisfaction with governance, high corruption and low accountability. This blog examines the broader implications of youth-led movements and their potential impact on Serbia’s socio-political landscape.
Youth Movement and Public Sentiment
After the tragedy, some citizens and political opposition quickly voiced their dissatisfaction over the lack of immediate resignations or arrests. Tensions escalated, culminating in a violent incident in the parliament. In response to the growing unrest, Serbia’s Speaker of the National Assembly unilaterally passed over 70 different legislative amendments about the state budget, education, the legislative system and lithium mining — without parliamentary debate. Critics claimed that this move undermined democratic principles.
Due to the lack of reaction from the authorities and due to attempts to cover it up, the university and high school students organized protests and emerged as leaders in demanding transparency and systemic reform, reflecting a generational desire for change. They blocked more than 70 universities and high schools, rejected government accusations of foreign influence, and demanded:
- Full Transparency: Release of renovation and collapse-related documents.
- Accountability: Identification and prosecution of those responsible.
- Systemic Reforms: Measures to prevent future infrastructural failures and ensure public safety.
Government Response: Silence and Delays
Government institutions remained largely silent, with only a few officials attempting to calm the crisis. President Vučić eventually became the main government voice, presenting certain documentation from the investigation. He proceeded with offering a 20% increase in funding for education as well as the different programs for youth, such as affordable housing, which protesters interpreted as trying to bribe them. Finally, the government introduced school winter break earlier than planned, hoping to calm the crisis. But students refused this and continued going to school without having classes.
However, the protesters argued their demands remained unmet. They refused to talk to the president, reflecting broader concerns about centralized power, weak institutions and mistrust in the government. While the regime asserts that public trust remains unchanged, opposition groups and citizen movements point to surveys indicating low confidence in institutions, citing unfulfilled promises and allegations of electoral irregularities. Stagnation in Serbia’s EU accession has further fueled debate and dissatisfaction, with some media claiming that the public is unconvinced of the government’s willingness to take responsibility.
International Reactions
International companies involved in the renovation of the station remained silent while organizations like Freedom Househave raised concerns about Serbia’s democratic processes, and Amnesty International published a report on the state surveillance of the protesters. Protesters have shared videos alleging incidents instructed by the officials, such as students being run over by cars and firecrackers thrown at minors in high schools. The government has denied these allegations, including violence, secret arrests, and intimidation of the protesters and this crisis has drawn comparisons in the media to the protests of the 1990s against Milosevic’s regime, a time when the country teetered on the brink of civil war.
Meanwhile, the EU has shown a different approach. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed support for Vučić during recent visits. Critics argue this reflects double standards compared to the EU’s response to protests in other countries, citing Serbia’s geopolitical importance and relation with Russia, its EU accession status and importance for regional stability, as well as lithium reserves crucial to Europe’s green energy goals. For example, despite huge ecological protests halting mining projects last year, Germany remains invested in Serbia’s raw material potential.
Serbia at the Crossroad
The Youth movement reflects a generational divide. Older Serbians—disillusioned by past struggles, including the Milosević era— are fearful, follow traditional media and are expressing skepticism. Younger Serbians who have grown up under Vučić’s administration, rely on social media and creative activism. They did not choose a leader due to safety reasons, and are using digital tools to promote and organize democratic practices like plenary voting, demonstrating innovative approaches.
Their unity has sparked solidarity among Serbians worldwide who held protests in Portugal, Germany, Austria, USA. Croatian and Bosnian students have expressed their support as well. Inspired by this movement, other societal groups like lawyers, artists, farmers, educators and doctors have initiated strikes and demonstrations in Serbia, amplifying demands for systemic reform and accountability.
The government has recognized the importance and size of the protests but has yet to initiate meaningful dialogue or propose solutions. The youth-led movement holds the potential to drive transformative change, reduce corruption, enhance Serbia’s geopolitical standing, and accelerate its European integration and democratic progress.
