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Rediscovering democracy in Serbia

Even if not acting recognizably political or within the frame of party politics in Serbia, the student movement is slowly and substantially changing the political culture. Students have helped people regain courage and optimism. Although they missed their lectures, they lectured the nation in democracy, solidarity and social responsibility.

Spring has arrived early in Serbia this year, but justice for the victims of the canopy collapse at the train station in Novi Sad still seems far away. The tragic event that took the lives of 16 people and severely injured one on November 1st, 2024 stunned the nation and soon came to symbolize the corruption of the country’s public officials. The initial grief was followed by reflective dismay. How can this seemingly ultramodern building, reconstructed (and dubiously overfunded) to great fanfare just a year ago, be so rotten? Can we trust our politicians about anything?

May 5, 2025 - Andrej Ševo - Hot TopicsIssue 3 2025Magazine

The current protests taking place are the largest and most enduring in modern Serbian history, with university students as the main protagonists. The students were not just the big heart of the protest but also its creative mind. Photo: Dragan Mujan / Shutterstock

Before the tragedy, many Serbs lethargically accepted that incompetence and embezzlement are a part of our reality, but their impact and consequences were never so explicit and close to home. No one is safe anymore.  When the dismay passed, the feelings evolved into outrage that sparked large protests around the country that have entered their sixth month.

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