Petra Dvořáková: Fear turned the tide. The student movement united Serbian society

Thursday, Nov 6, 2025

Thousands gather to mourn victims of a tragedy, highlighting ongoing student protests against government corruption and autocracy.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

Thousands of students from across Serbia gathered in Novi Sad on October 31st to commemorate the victims of a tragic incident at the local train station one year prior, where sixteen people died and one woman lost limbs following the collapse of a concrete shelter. The protests stem from widespread public distrust regarding corruption surrounding the reconstruction project. Student activism, which gained significant momentum after initial demonstrations in November 2024, has become a major force in Serbian society, with slogans like “pumpaj” urging pressure on the government. Despite recent exhaustion and some instances of police violence against protesters, thousands attended the memorial, demonstrating continued commitment to democratic change. Activists are pushing for accountability, including releasing project documentation and prosecuting those responsible. The movement is now focusing on political action, advocating for early elections and presenting independent candidates, while international pressure from bodies like the European Union continues to influence the situation.


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