For more than 100 consecutive days, Serbia has been swept by a wave of protests unlike anything seen in recent years, with students and ordinary citizens taking to the streets in towns and cities across the country. What began as an outpouring of grief and anger over a deadly building collapse in Novi Sad has morphed into a nationwide demand for justice, government accountability, and a thorough dismantling of Serbia’s culture of corruption.
This powerful youth-driven uprising is shaking the foundations of the country’s leadership, calling into question not only the integrity of public officials but also the very future direction of Serbia’s democracy.
A Disaster That Became a Tipping Point
The initial spark for the protests came on November 1, 2024, when the newly reconstructed railway station in Novi Sad suffered a catastrophic roof collapse, killing 15 people and leaving several others with life-threatening injuries. The station, meant to symbolize modern development and Serbia’s growing infrastructure ambitions, instead became a symbol of corruption, negligence, and backroom political deals.
Early investigations revealed that the project had been riddled with irregularities, including questionable construction materials, rushed deadlines, and contracts awarded to companies with close political ties but little proven expertise. For many Serbians, it was the last straw after years of mounting frustration over shady privatizations, environmental degradation, and a government that seemed more focused on enriching its allies than protecting its citizens.
From Mourning to Movement
The grief-stricken vigils that followed the disaster gradually transformed into angry gatherings and mass mobilizations, particularly on university campuses. Students, deeply disillusioned with a political system they see as corrupt to its core, began organizing under the banner of “Red Hands” — a potent symbol representing both the blood of the victims and the culpability of government officials.
What started with marches in Novi Sad soon spread like wildfire. By the start of 2025, demonstrations were being held in over 270 towns and cities — from Belgrade and Niš to smaller rural areas often overlooked by national politics. Across the country, young people, workers, farmers, and professionals united around a core demand: no more impunity for those in power.
A Wave of Demands
While the protests began with a call for accountability over the Novi Sad tragedy, the movement’s scope quickly widened. Protesters’ demands now include:
- Thorough investigations into corruption in public projects and construction contracts.
- An independent judicial system, free from political influence.
- Protection for independent media, which has faced harassment and shrinking space for free expression.
- Increased investment in education, healthcare, and public infrastructure.
- Reforms to guarantee transparent elections and an end to cronyism in government hiring and public tenders.
These demands reflect a growing sense, particularly among younger generations, that Serbia’s political and economic systems serve a well-connected elite at the expense of the public.
Political Fallout and Government Reaction
The protests have already forced significant political consequences. In February 2025, Prime Minister Miloš Vučević stepped down, acknowledging the government’s failure to ensure safety at the Novi Sad site. Several officials linked to the project’s approval and oversight have been arrested, though protesters believe they are merely scapegoats for a much deeper system of entrenched corruption.
President Aleksandar Vučić, in power for over a decade, has tried to balance concessions with defiance — at times expressing sympathy for the victims, while at other times accusing the movement of being manipulated by foreign powers intent on destabilizing Serbia. This rhetoric, however, has fallen flat with much of the public, especially the young protesters who see Vučić as the embodiment of the problems they are fighting against.
A Cry Against Systemic Corruption
While the Novi Sad collapse provided the immediate trigger, the protests are fueled by years of frustration over unchecked power, opaque business deals, and declining press freedom. Activists have long sounded the alarm over the influence of politically connected businessmen, who win lucrative contracts while cutting corners on safety and environmental standards.
Serbia’s ongoing construction boom, heavily dependent on foreign investments from China and Russia, has further amplified these concerns. Critics say these deals are often signed behind closed doors, with little transparency or public input, leaving communities vulnerable to both unsafe projects and environmental damage.
A Generational Revolt
What makes this movement particularly striking is the central role played by students and young professionals, many of whom were raised in an environment where political favoritism, corruption, and repression were the norm. For them, this movement is not just about one tragedy or even one government — it’s about reclaiming their future.
Across social media, hashtags like #RedHands, #OurFuture, and #SerbiaWithoutCorruption have become rallying cries, reflecting both the anger and the sense of hope that change is possible if enough people refuse to stay silent.
The International Lens
The protests have also drawn attention from international bodies, including the European Union, which Serbia hopes to join. EU officials have urged the government to respect freedom of assembly and respond meaningfully to demands for greater transparency and judicial independence. Failure to do so could further jeopardize Serbia’s EU accession prospects, adding international stakes to the already high domestic tensions.
Countries across the Balkans are also closely watching the movement’s evolution. Serbia’s protests could inspire similar anti-corruption movements in neighboring countries where public frustration over corrupt elites and stagnant reforms mirrors Serbia’s own situation.
What Lies Ahead?
Despite harsh weather, intimidation tactics, and attempts to undermine their legitimacy, Serbia’s protesters show no signs of retreating. With warmer spring weather approaching, organizers are planning even larger demonstrations, including a national day of action expected to draw hundreds of thousands into the streets.
Whether or not these protests achieve all their demands, one thing is already clear: a new generation of Serbians is no longer willing to accept the status quo. The legacy of the Novi Sad tragedy will not just be a symbol of loss, but potentially the birth of a new civic consciousness, where corruption, injustice, and indifference from the ruling elite are no longer tolerated.
Conclusion
As Serbia navigates this unprecedented period of upheaval, the voices of its youth are louder than ever. Their message — for justice, transparency, and dignity — is shaping not only the current political landscape but also the long-term future of the country. The next few months will reveal whether the government can meet the moment with genuine reform or whether the pressure from below will force a deeper political reckoning. Either way, the events of **2024-2025 will mark a defining chapter in Serbia’s modern history.
