Serbians call for systemic change at country's largest-ever protest
On March 15, Serbia witnessed its largest protest in history, an outpouring of public anger, hope and demand for accountability. An estimated 300,000 people flooded the streets of Belgrade, the culmination of months of student-led protests triggered by an accident at Novi Sad’s railway station in November 2024, which claimed the lives of 15 people and injured two others.
The scale of the protest has been the subject of debate. While the police reported 107,000 attendees at its peak, independent sources, such as the Archive of Public Gatherings, estimated the crowd at anywhere between 275,000 and 325,000. Whichever the exact figure, the protest marked an unprecedented display of discontent with the government of President Aleksandar Vucic.
The tragedy in Novi Sad, caused by the collapse of a canopy roof at a station that had just recently been renovated, has galvanised both students and ordinary citizens into a powerful movement demanding justice. The protesters believe corruption contributed to the disaster, and their calls for accountability have already led to the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and several other high-ranking officials.
Despite the government's efforts to limit the size of the protest by suspending public transportation to Belgrade, including trains and buses, masses of people arrived on foot, by bike and in cars. "We flew in without the falcon," read one of the many witty placards, referring to the suspension of the train services connecting Novi Sad and Belgrade.
Public transport ceased in Belgrade just after 9 a.m. on March 15 "for security reasons", but this did little to dampen the determination of the demonstrators, many of whom arrived from across the country the night before. Even Vucic, always keen to downplay the scale of such protests, was forced to admit that this one was quite large. "We will have to change ourselves," he acknowledged in an address to the nation after the protest.
The protest was a testament to the anger over government mismanagement, but also to the peaceful determination of the demonstrators. Despite the overwhelming size and tense atmosphere in the run up to the protest, the event remained largely incident-free.
This was a stark contrast to fears raised in the days leading up to the protest, when rumours of violence were rife, mostly fuelled by government rhetoric and state media. "I felt everyone was on edge… expecting something to happen," said a young teacher from Belgrade. But against the backdrop of so much anticipation, the protest unfolded remarkably peacefully.
Vucic praised the police for their handling of the situation. "We managed to preserve the peace," he declared, an acknowledgment of the success of the police and the people in keeping the protest largely free from violence.
Nonetheless, some incidents did occur, including another car-ramming incident, a grim reminder of the past months’ rare clashes, when enraged drivers have rammed their cars through groups of students blocking traffic. Serbian media reported that 22 people were arrested and 56 others injured throughout the day.
The student organisers made significant efforts to keep the peace, even as tensions escalated. Towards the end of the day, a small group of individuals threw objects and pyrotechnics. Student organisers wearing yellow vests attempted to contain the situation, but soon withdrew, stressing that such incidents were not part of their protest. By 11 p.m., the streets were mostly empty.
In an official statement posted before the protests, the student organisers had condemned any form of violence, emphasising that the protest’s goal was not to attack or invade institutions but to demand systemic change.
This is not a colour revolution, the students insist. Despite the scale of the protests, they are not officially calling for regime change or siding with opposition groups. What they seek is far more fundamental: transparency, accountability and the restoration of the rule of law. They want a government that works for the people, not for itself. "All we are saying is give the constitution a chance," another sign read.
Their demands echo those heard in Serbia a quarter of a century ago, during the mass protests against Slobodan Milosevic, to live in a "normal" European country. "We just want a country that works," law student Jana Vasic told the BBC, a sentiment echoed by many in the crowd.
The people of Serbia are asking for systemic change, for a system which is not dependent on bribes and favours and for a future where public officials are held responsible for their actions.
Prosecutors have indicted at least 16 individuals in connection with the Novi Sad collapse, including former construction minister Goran Vesic, but charges have yet to go to trial. The protesters vow to continue their fight until those responsible for the tragedy are held accountable.
Serbia could be heading toward snap elections after the country saw its largest protest in history on March 15, raising pressure on the government and President Aleksandar Vucic to respond.
An estimated 300,000 people gathered in the capital Belgrade on Saturday, marking the climax of months of student-led protests sparked by a deadly infrastructure collapse at Novi Sad railway station in November 2024.
The incident, which killed 15 people and injured two others, has sparked a wave of protests led by students, demanding government accountability and justice. The protests have created a political crisis for the President, leading to the resignation of the Prime Minister, Milos Vucevic.
During a government session at the Palace of Serbia on March 16, President Vucic said that the Prime Minister’s resignation would be formally confirmed on March 18. Following this, the 30-day deadline for the formation of a new government will begin.
“If the new government is not formed within the legal deadline, elections will be held, most likely on June 8,” Vucic told reporters, adding that the situation in the country needs to be normalised as soon as possible.
Despite the government's attempts to address public dissatisfaction and calm the months-long protests, public anger has only escalated. Protests have continued to grow in size, with the Belgrade protest on March 15 representing the peak of a nationwide movement that has seen similar demonstrations in over 200 towns and cities across Serbia.
Vucic's comments came in a meeting with National Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabic, where he outlined the timeline for Vucevic’s resignation to trigger the 30-day deadline. If a new government is not formed within that period, the country could face early elections in June.
While the protests have gained significant momentum, opposition parties have struggled to present a unified response or alternative leadership to challenge the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). This political fragmentation could encourage Vucic to call elections as a means to reaffirm his political legitimacy, despite the risk of losing his parliamentary majority.
Vucic, known for his frequent use of snap elections to reinforce his authority, may view elections as a chance to reset his leadership amid mounting public dissatisfaction. However, holding an election in the wake of the largest protest in Serbia’s history carries significant risks.
Public frustration could lead to a surge in support for opposition parties, even those who have struggled to present a cohesive platform. Nevertheless, the president’s history of political manoeuvring suggests that he may view elections as the best option for resolving the current crisis.
Serbian police reportedly use sonic cannon against protesters
The Serbian police have been accused of using a sonic cannon against protesting students on March 15 when the largest protest against strongman Aleksandar Vucic was held in the capital Belgrade.
According to local authorities, the rally gathered around 100,000 people, but independent observers and aerial footage suggest the number was much higher, at between 275,000 and 325,000.
A video, posted on X by a protester, shows the moment when all protesters on one street scattered after the use of the weapon. A sound can be heard as well.
The LRAC sonic cannon is an acoustic weapon that fires a targeted "beam" of sound at very high volume, up to 160 dB, according to Visegrad24.
The weapon was allegedly used during the 15-minute silence protesters were holding to pay tribute to the 15 people who died after a roof collapse at the railway station in Novi Sad in November 2024.
The incident fuelled accusations of government corruption and mismanagement, escalating into a broad movement against President Vucic.
Vucic has called on the Prosecutor's Office to investigate the alleged use of the sonic cannon. However, he suggested that the story was fake news, and demanded the prosecution of those who first published the story.
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