Thousands rally in Serbia as students press anti-corruption campaign
Thousands of people gathered in the Serbian city of Novi Sad on Saturday as university students vowed to continue protests against President Aleksandar Vucic, accusing his government of corruption and democratic backsliding.
Chanting slogans such as “thieves,” demonstrators linked alleged corruption to a deadly train station collapse in November 2024 that killed 16 people and helped spark nationwide protests. Students, who have led demonstrations for more than a year, criticized Vucic for refusing to call early elections and for pressure placed on government opponents.
Addressing the crowd, student leaders announced a new phase of their movement, promising proposals to combat corruption and restore the rule of law. Measures discussed included banning corrupt officials from public office and investigating their assets.
The rally, titled “What Victory Will Mean,” followed students’ claim last month that they gathered about 400,000 signatures backing their election demands. Another protest is planned for January 27 in Belgrade.
Vucic, in power for over a decade, has rejected the protesters’ demands and accused the student movement of acting on foreign orders. He has faced growing criticism at home and abroad over alleged restrictions on democratic freedoms and corruption.
