Students in Serbia have ended their almost year-long occupation of universities in the Balkan country. The actions were part of their protest for democracy and the rule of law.
Demonstrating students on the way to Novi Sad.Image: keystone
In Belgrade, Novi Sad, Nis and Novi Pazar, teaching resumed on Monday, other institutions had already done so, as the state news agency Tanjug reported, citing the Ministry of Education.
The occupations began in mid-November 2024 – after the collapse of the newly renovated canopy at Novi Sad train station on November 1st. 16 people were killed and dozens were injured.
The accident triggered the largest and longest-lasting protest movement in the country’s recent history. Demonstrators and experts blame corruption under the authoritarian President Aleksandar Vucic.
Online lessons during the occupations
In-person classes were canceled during the protests; Teachers and students tried to compensate for the cancellations through online and distance learning. “According to plans, the regular academic year with full face-to-face teaching will start from November 3rd,” the independent Fonet news agency quoted the dean of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade as saying. Courses, exams and exams should take place again as usual.
In addition to the occupations, the students also organized road blockades and large-scale demonstrations. In fact, the judiciary controlled by Vucic has so far delayed a legal investigation into the train station tragedy. The movement is now supported by large parts of the population and is calling for early elections.
More than 100,000 people at the anniversary commemoration
On Saturday, 110,000 people commemorated the anniversary of the accident, according to the Archives of Public Gatherings, an independent group of experts. At 11:52 a.m. – the time of the collapse – the crowd remained in silent remembrance of the victims for 16 minutes.
Observers see the movement as a profound political change. Vucic’s government, which often relied on intimidation, repression and vote buying, has lost massive support, polls show. At the same time, it is not clear how the movement plans to enforce its demand for new elections. The students have not yet presented a political program that would address questions of geopolitics or energy policy. (dab/sda/dpa)