The protests in Serbia pose a challenge for the authorities in Belgrade, which need to ensure transparency in their actions and regain the trust of society, according to Croatian MEP Davor Stier from the European People’s Party, commenting on the wave of protests following a building disaster in Novi Sad that resulted in 15 deaths. The incident sparked the biggest political crisis in Serbia in many years. European Union institutions are cautiously observing the situation, particularly the treatment of protesters and activists by authorities.
On November 1, 2024, the canopy collapsed at the main entrance of the railway station in Novi Sad, northern Serbia, killing 15 people. The most serious building accident in this country in years triggered long-lasting protests and massive demonstrations, the largest since the fall of Slobodan Milosevic’s governments. The protests are mainly participated by the younger generation of Serbs, particularly students. They have resulted in the occupation of over 60 university departments and have spread through more than 100 towns. Representatives from other environments, including farmers, lawyers or entrepreneurs, are also joining in.
“The protesters demand accountability, as well as transparency and the disclosure of all documentation related to the railway station tragedy and the roof renovation, which was entrusted to China Railway International Co. The demonstrations pose a challenge for the authorities, but it must be emphasized that students have the right to protest and Serbian authorities must ensure transparency and accountability, and in this regard, it is also important to regain citizens’ trust in state institutions,” says Davor Stier, a member of the European Parliament from the Croatian Democratic Union, counter-reporter for Serbian affairs within the European People’s Party.
As emphasized in her analysis by Marta Szpala from the Centre for Eastern Studies, the protesters also demand accountability for those who committed violence against the protesters. At the end of January, Prime Minister Miloš Vucic resigned – the official reason being a beating of students in Novi Sad by individuals closely associated with the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) led by Vucic, and with the Prime Minister’s son. The mayor of Novi Sad, Milan Djuric, also resigned, but this did not calm the social atmosphere.
Apart from demanding an investigation into the building disaster, other demands have emerged, including increased funding for education, pay raises, more transparency in government actions. Experts underline these demands are connected with President Aleksandar Vucic’s increasingly authoritarian rule, based on a network of corrupt connections, media control, and control of state institutions.
The political crisis in Serbia was a subject during the last plenary session in Strasbourg. Serbia, as a country negotiating EU membership, is regularly monitored for exercising the rule of law and respecting fundamental rights. EU institutions mentioned their concern about the violence against demonstrators, representatives of NGOs from other countries, including from the EU.
“We believe that the door to the European Union should remain open to all countries of the Western Balkans, including Serbia, but it is up to Serbia how quickly this process will proceed”, says the Croatian politician.
The European Parliament has called on the Belgrade authorities to align with the common foreign and security policy of the European Union. This included, among other things, the imposition of sanctions against Russia following the attack on Ukraine. However, the Serbian authorities did not agree.
“To become part of the European Union, they must adhere to the EU and adapt in terms of common foreign and security policy. There are also expectations regarding the rule of law. These requirements apply to all candidate countries, there are no special rules applicable to a given country. However, to become a member of the European Union, it is necessary to meet the criteria “, emphasizes Davor Stier.
