Massive Protests Erupt in Belgrade Over Corruption Claims

BELGRADE, Serbia, March 15, 2025 – Over 107,000 protesters flooded the streets of Serbia’s capital on Saturday, calling for accountability from President Aleksandar Vucic‘s government amid growing accusations of corruption and negligence following a deadly railway station disaster. The massive rally signifies one of the largest anti-government protests in decades and reflects mounting public dissatisfaction with Vucic’s 13-year rule.

The demonstrations were ignited by the November 2024 roof collapse at the Novi Sad railway station, which resulted in 15 fatalities. Protesters from diverse backgrounds, including students, teachers, and farmers, have united to demand transparency and justice in the wake of the tragedy.

A security source and witnesses reported that the crowd surpassed 100,000 by noon, filling the streets between the parliament building and Slavija Square. One student articulated the sentiment that has propelled the protests, stating, “We will not allow you to deprive us of our freedoms.”

Though the protest remained mostly peaceful, there were tensions with police in the early hours, where authorities detained 13 individuals amid minor clashes. One incident involved a vehicle colliding with protesters in a Belgrade suburb, injuring three.

Students organized their own security, wearing fluorescent yellow vests to help maintain order between police and demonstrators. “Today we will demonstrate our dissent to show what we are striving for – a normal state, a state of law, without corruption, lying, media pressures, persecutions,” said 23-year-old student Aleksa Cvetanovic.

As demonstrators marched, the atmosphere was festive despite the serious undertones, with flares lit and chants of “Pump it Up” reverberating through the crowd. Some activists traveled hundreds of miles on foot or by bicycle to attend, and local residents offered food and warmth to the protesters.

The government has faced increased scrutiny in light of the tragic incident at the Novi Sad railway station, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and two ministers. More than a dozen individuals have been charged concerning the disaster.

In a bid to quell the unrest, the administration announced an anti-corruption campaign. However, Vucic has dismissed the allegations of corruption and suggested that foreign intelligence agencies are orchestrating the protests to destabilize Serbia. “Plans have already been made that we know about,” he warned, referring to potential clashes.

The call for a renewed general strike sparked discussions among protesters, although past attempts to mobilize public service workers and businesses have largely failed. The collective hopes for systemic change appear to be growing, with students pledging to maintain the movement’s peaceful nature. “The purpose of this movement is not an incursion into institutions, nor to attack those who do not think as we do,” organizers wrote in a social media statement.

The magnitude of Saturday’s rally poses a significant challenge to Vucic, illustrating that public patience is wearing thin. Protesters expressed that the day marked not just a culmination but a starting point for persistent demands for justice and transparency in Serbian governance.