Serbian schools and theaters join student protests over Novi Sad tragedy

Serbian schools and theaters joined the student protests caused by the tragedy in Novi Sad. This was reported by Izvestia correspondent Sergei Petrov on February 8.

It is specified that employees of theaters, educational and other institutions in Belgrade, Novi Sad and several other cities have announced a strike for a week in support of the students.

"I think this struggle is just beginning. The fact is that the whole system is not working well, not just one person. Not one official is responsible for anything," said Belgrade resident Nemanja Ajdacic.

The protesters demand a speedy investigation into the tragedy in Novi Sad and decisive action in the fight against corruption.

The ferment of protest: how the political crisis in Serbia will end

The head of the Balkan republic's government has already resigned

Earlier, on January 30, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the Serbian authorities are listening to critical signals. She also noted that the most dangerous scenario is a split in society. The diplomat expressed confidence that the Serbian people would be able to preserve the country as a distinctive and self-sufficient state.

Prior to that, on January 28, Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned amid protests and the split in society. He said he was satisfied with the results of his work over the past nine months, but the tragedy with the collapse of the canopy at the train station in the city of Novi Sad cast a shadow over his government.

On the same day, he revealed that the protests, in which citizens also blocked highways and educational institutions, were organized from abroad. Vucevic also promised that those responsible for organizing them would be punished for what they had done, adding that it would not take long to figure out who they were.

After the collapse of the train station canopy in the city of Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, which killed 14 people, members of the opposition began to organize demonstrations in various cities of the republic.

Serbian authorities declared November 2 a day of mourning for the victims. Later, on November 4, Serbian Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Goran Vesic resigned after the incident. Also in November, the country's President Aleksandar Vucic said that this dismissal "was only the beginning" and the country would soon see a series of resignations.

The same month, protesters in Serbia blocked the Varadin bridge over the Danube River, one of the main bridges in Novi Sad, demanding the dismissal of the country's leadership after the tragedy at the train station.