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Train Station Collapse in Serbia Sparks National Uproar

On November 1st, Aleksandar Matkovic, an economic historian from Novi Sad, Serbia, witnessed a horrific tragedy that would shake the nation. As he hurried to catch a train to Belgrade, where he works, the station canopy abruptly collapsed, crushing passengers waiting on the platform. Fifteen people lost their lives in this catastrophic event.

Anger and Protests Erupt Across Serbia

The collapse of the train station canopy turned shock into outrage, symbolizing perceived systemic corruption under President Aleksandar Vucic, who has ruled Serbia since 2014. Vigils for the victims quickly escalated into daily protests, drawing broad public support.

“We’re in uncharted territory,” commented Matkovic. Daily gatherings in cities and towns have become a hallmark of Serbian civil resistance, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the government.

Student leaders have spearheaded these protests, calling for transparency in the reconstruction of the station. Their demands have grown into a call for broader systemic changes.

The Underlying Cause: Corruption

Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) has faced criticism for years, with democracy in Serbia declining since his rise to power. Freedom House降Η categorizes Serbia as “party free,” pinpointing attacks on media and centralized power as key issues.

Analysts describe Vucic’s regime as a hybrid system, neither fully authoritarian nor democratic. Ivana Stradner of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies likens it to the early 1990s Russian model, characterized by corruption and lack of rule of law.

Geopolitical Implications

While corruption plagues domestic affairs, Vucic has navigated Serbian foreign policy skillfully. Serbia is a strategic ally for multiple global powers. For Russia, it holds potential to stem the westward movement of Balkan nations. For Europe, Serbia could become vital given its huge untapped lithium resources for green initiatives.

China views Serbia as a key player in the Belt and Road Initiative, offering infrastructure projects. The United States, through figures like Jared Kushner, is courting Serbia with investment opportunities.

The Student Movement and its Impact

The student-led protests in Serbia are fundamentally a movement against corruption and for transparency. Matkovic underscored how citizens feel that reconstruction projects, including the train station, were rushed and influenced by political elites.

Graft and negligence have led to tragedies, fueling public fury. Serbian prosecutors have indicted 13 individuals responsible, but protesters demand broader accountability.

Vucic’s tactics to curb dissent often involve making targeted concessions or jettisoning allies. However, the current protest movement is broad and diverse, expanding beyond student demographics.

Farmers have participated in protests in Belgrade, adding another layer to the movement’s base. Judges have also joined, a startling development given the regime’s manipulation of the judiciary.