Serbia's protesting students renew pressure on Vucic with a big weekend rally

Serbia’s protesting students are preparing for their first major rally of the year this weekend, aiming to push for political reforms ahead of elections scheduled between September and November. Thousands are expected to gather in Belgrade’s Slavija Square, where anti-government protests last March were disrupted by a suspected sonic weapon attack, according to experts, though the government denies involvement. The student movement, which emerged after a November 2024 train station tragedy in Novi Sad that killed 16 people, has become a political force demanding accountability and early elections. The protests forced the resignation of then-Prime Minister Milos Vucevic in 2025, but Vucic has resisted calls for snap polls. Dusan Vucicevic, a political science professor, described the student movement as a credible challenger to Vucic’s ruling Serbian Progressive Party. Tensions remain high, with pro-government media labeling protesters as terrorists and foreign agents. Police separated Vucic’s supporters from students printing ‘Students win’ slogans on Tuesday, and an elderly man was injured earlier when a driver broke up a traffic blockade. Organizers are emphasizing peaceful assembly, warning they want no incidents to deter citizens from attending. The protests stem from widespread public anger over corruption and negligence in state infrastructure, particularly after the Novi Sad station collapse. Vucic has dismissed the demonstrations as unregistered and criminal, while students insist their demands for change are justified. The upcoming rally marks a pivotal moment in Serbia’s political landscape, as the youth movement seeks to influence the electoral process.