Key Points 

• The collapse of the outdoor roof of a train station in the northern city of Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, killed 15 people and wounded several more severely. The train station had been newly renovated, and the government was quickly blamed for the disaster.
• Students demanded accountability from government officials after the collapse. This demand was later taken up by more students across the country and developed into a broader movement opposing the deteriorating rule of law and systemic corruption.
• As of February 2025, the protests have expanded to over 200 towns and villages. Tens of thousands of Serbians from all social classes have participated over the last three months.
• The government follows the practice of salami-slicing by first denying any misconduct and publication of official documents until the line cannot be held anymore. With ongoing protests since November 2024, the government has since released thousands of documents and charged more than a dozen people.
• The protests led to the resignation of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević who was a close ally of President Vučić on January 28, 2025. However, the students are not placated as they still pursue their objective of overhauling a system they perceive as rotten to the core.
• While students were the main drivers of protests at the beginning, a variety of social groups have joined them recently with their complaints. This includes university students, farmers, lawyers, pensioners, and more.
• It is not yet clear whether a new government will be formed or a snap parliamentary election could take place. If a government can be formed, it would happen until March 19-20, 2025. If this is not the case, elections will be held in early May, most likely.
• While the support for protests among the population appears to be high, the same cannot be said about a fall in President Vučić’s ratings. The economy is developing well and the President’s rating is fairly stable. The danger is that the polarization in Serbia will increase, however, it also needs to be mentioned that the students never actively demanded the resignation of the President.