More than nine months have passed since the collapse of the canopy at the main train station in Novi Sad, which had been renovated just a few months earlier as part of a state infrastructure project. A total of 16 people died, and the tragedy sparked a massive social and political crisis in Serbia that is still ongoing.
After several days of shock and demands for accountability, students, together with citizens, launched protests. First in Novi Sad, then in other cities across Serbia, symbolic road and square blockades began, lasting 15 minutes, for what was then still 15 victims (the sixteenth later died in hospital).
The first major student gathering took place on November 22nd, 2024, at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade, followed by blockades of universities and schools across the country.
The first student demands had 5 points: The publication of all contracts and documents related to the renovation project of the railway station in Novi Sad, including the canopy; An independent international investigation, including foreign experts to prevent a cover-up; Resignations of responsible officials: the minister of construction, the director of Railway Infrastructure, the mayor of Novi Sad; Public disclosure of the names of all contractors, subcontractors, and supervisors; A minute of silence on the first of each month in all educational institutions, in memory and as a reminder of institutional responsibility.
Caci to school
After daily protests, in January 2025, the university blockades began. The first to be blocked was the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Belgrade, followed by other faculties. Students closed the entrances to university buildings and held classes outdoors – so-called “free classes.”
By mid-February 2025, the blockades were in full swing – in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Kragujevac, and Nis.
University professors reacted differently – some supported them, some threatened disciplinary measures, but without real consequences.
At that time, the authorities still did not act aggressively against the students, but there were isolated attacks on them.
Then, some high schools also began blockading, and an unknown author wrote “Caci to school” on the wall of the “Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj” Gymnasium in Novi Sad instead of “Djaci (students) to school.”
This slip quickly went viral on social media, and the term “caci” became a pejorative label for all students who support President Aleksandar Vucic. They organized themselves with state support as “students who want to study” and set up a tent camp on the plateau between the President’s Office and the National Assembly.
The camp was called “Caciland,” and the media quickly discovered that many participants were not students, but party activists, paid participants, or individuals from the criminal underworld.
Sound cannon
The first large protest of students and citizens was held on March 15th, 2025, in Belgrade.
Under the name “15 for 15,” the protest gathered a record number of people. Authorities reported 107.000 participants at the peak of the rally, independent organizations estimated between 275.000 and 325.000 people, while students and organizers claimed that more than half a million people took to the streets.
The demands presented at the rally were similar to those initially made, and there were fears of clashes with the students in “Caciland,” but the protest ended after the crowd was dispersed by an unusual, extremely loud high-frequency sound.
According to numerous testimonies and independent sources, it was likely the use of a so-called “sound cannon” (LRAD – Long Range Acoustic Device). Authorities denied this, but the real truth is still unknown.
The President of Serbia then announced that he had defeated a “color revolution,” suggesting that the students were part of a broader plan by Western powers to overthrow him.
Previously, he had on several occasions pandered to student demands, dismissed several ministers, and the Prime Minister, Milos Vucevic, resigned, but the students did not give up.
In the meantime, the government organized counter-protests in several cities to show “the people’s support for the president.” A new prime minister was appointed, and police began more aggressively detaining protesters who were blocking roads.
The government withheld salaries from professors during the blockades, forcing universities into online teaching. Toward the end of spring, students announced for the first time that they would form their own electoral list to bring down the “corrupt order.”
Everything culminated in a large protest in Belgrade on June 28th, on Vidovdan, a symbolically significant date, with the students giving President Vucic an ultimatum to call early elections. The protest was planned as peaceful, but pro-government media spread fear, claiming the opposition was planning bloodshed.
The rally ultimately turned violent, with clashes between protesters and police. Since then, the police have become more involved in suppressing the protests, and students have been expelled from most universities, but they announced they would continue the fight in the autumn.
No criticism from the European Union (EU)
According to analysts, students showed resilience but faced increased repression and polarization. Vucic managed to maintain control, but the protests significantly shook his authority, laying the groundwork for a further political crisis.
Throughout the protests, Vucic did not face serious criticism from the EU regarding his handling of the crisis.
The EU called for “peaceful protests” and “respect for the rule of law” and indirectly supported some student demands, such as transparency and the fight against corruption, but did not publicly criticize Vucic’s government for repressing protesters, which disappointed some students.
During March and April 2025, students sought EU support and protection for protesters. They organized symbolic actions like a bicycle ride to Strasbourg in May to draw the attention of the European Parliament.
But they received only symbolic statements, which deepened their frustration and further emphasized the absence of EU flags at their protests.
Over the past months, many influential figures from Serbia supported the students, from actors and musicians to academics and athletes. The most prominent name is the greatest tennis player in history, Novak Djokovic.
Impact on economic growth
Economic analysts say the entire situation has affected economic growth. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Serbia will record GDP growth of 3 percent in 2025, lower than the previously forecast 3.5 percent, due to political tensions and slowing global growth.
Political analysts expect the same political situation in Serbia to continue into autumn, likely until early parliamentary elections are called.
Although he offered them several times at the beginning of the crisis, the President of Serbia now says they will not be held before 2027.
Meanwhile, the official investigation into the canopy collapse has still not been fully completed.
