Serbian students rally against corruption amidst government denial
In Serbia, mass student protests persist, with participants accusing the authorities of corruption and negligence. In response, President Aleksandar Vucic organized a rally for his supporters.
On Saturday, in Kragujevac, a central Serbian city, another of the student protests took place. Tens of thousands gathered to express their dissatisfaction with the government's actions. Meanwhile, President Aleksandar Vucic organized a rally in Sremska Mitrovica, where he pledged to combat the "colour revolution."
The demonstration in Kragujevac was part of Serbia's Statehood Day celebrations, which commemorate the first Serbian uprising in 1804 and the adoption of the first constitution in 1835. Protesters, including students from various parts of the country, blocked the city centre. The demonstrations began after a construction disaster at the train station in Novi Sad, where 15 people were killed. Protesters accuse the authorities of corruption and negligence.
President Vucic's rally
Students are demanding the disclosure of contracts related to the station’s renovation, punishment for those responsible for attacks on demonstrators, and a 20 percent increase in higher education spending. The government assures that it has fulfilled or will fulfill these demands, but protesters claim that none of them have been fully realized.
In Sremska Mitrovica, President Vucic gathered several thousand of his supporters. According to Serbian media, some participants were brought in by buses from various regions of Serbia and from the Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The president warned that the protests are an attempt at a "colour revolution" supported by foreign entities, aimed at undermining Serbia.
