Serbia's
largest-ever rally sees 325,000 protest against government
10 hours ago
Guy De
Launey
BBC Balkans
correspondent
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2g8v32q30o
A
specialised non-government organisation estimates between 275,000 and 325,000
attended the rally, making it the largest in Belgrade's history
Hundreds of
thousands of people descended on Serbia's capital on Saturday to protest over
the deaths of 15 people in a railway station collapse.
While the
government put attendance at 107,000 across Belgrade, an independent monitor
said 325,000 - if not more - had gathered, making it Serbia's largest protest
ever.
The Novi Sad
collapse last November has galvanised anger towards the government and
President Aleksandar Vucic. Demonstrators blame corruption and corner-cutting
for the loss of life.
They believe
the disaster reflects more than a decade of governing by the Progressive Party
of Vucic - who closely associated himself with the station's recent renovation.
President
Vucic addressed the nation on Saturday and praised the police, adding that he
was proud that "we managed to preserve the peace".
He added
that he "understood" the protesters' message, and said "we will
have to change ourselves".
Despite
multiple resignations - and Vucic's insistence that he is going nowhere - the
protests have only continued to grow.
"We
just want a country that works," law student Jana Vasic told the BBC in
the growing crowd in Belgrade.
"We
want institutions that do their jobs properly. We don't care what party is in
power. But we need a country that works, not one where you don't get justice
for more than four months."
Getty Images
This aerial photograph shows protesters holding up their mobile phones to light
up the night sky in memory of those who died in the Novi Sad roof disasterGetty
Images
Serbian
protesters held up mobile phone lights for 15 minutes in tribute to victims of
the Novi Sad station roof collapse
Republic
Square - just one of the four meeting points around Serbia's capital for the
"15th for 15" protest - was full to overflowing on Saturday.
Some took
refuge on the plinth of Prince Mihajlo's statue - the traditional spot for
Belgraders to meet, the equivalent of Eros in London's Piccadilly.
Others
queued up along the road in front of the National Museum, stretching all the
way back to Students' Square.
The other
meeting points were every bit as crowded ahead of the planned rendezvous in
front of the National Assembly.
The Public
Meeting Archive said 275,000-325,000 had attended the protest - "with the
possibility that the number was even higher".
"Due to
the extraordinary size, dynamic nature and structure of the assembly, as well
as the unclear situation in some parts of the city... a more precise assessment
is not possible," it added.
Serbian
media reports 22 people were arrested and 56 others injured.
While the
protests over the Novi Sad collapse began with students, they have been joined
by taxi drivers, farmers and lawyers.
Ahead of the
big protest, motorbike riders pulled up outside the National Assembly, facing
off against the tractors surrounding a camp of pro-government
counter-protesters.
Then a
parade of military veterans received a rousing welcome. They said they would
make a citizen's arrest on anyone who attacked the students.
Earlier on
Saturday farmers, students and bikers took part in the large crowds protesting
in central Belgrade
The students
have been calling for full transparency and accountability over the collapse of
a concrete and glass canopy at the station in Serbia's second city, which was
renovated and only reopened - by Vucic - in 2022.
They want
the government to publish all the documentation relating to the renovation
project and say they are not satisfied with the papers the authorities have
released so far.
They also
want those responsible for the disaster to be charged and convicted.
Prosecutors have indicted at least 16 people, including former construction
minister Goran Vesic.
But the
charges have yet to go to trial. And the students insist they will continue
with their protests until the authorities meet all their demands.
"We're
making progress," a student representing Belgrade University's philosophy
faculty told the BBC. "But at this point none of our demands have been met
completely."
"A
couple of politicians have resigned from their offices," noted another.
"But they weren't fired. We're yet to see anything but empty
promises".
Prime
Minister Milos Vucevic announced his resignation at the end of January. But
that has yet to be ratified by the National Assembly and he remains in his
post.
But the real
power in Serbia lies with Vucic, who insists that he is going nowhere.
"I
don't give in to blackmail," he told a media conference on the eve of the
big protest. "I won't allow the street to pave a horrible future for this
country."
Vucic
described the student protests as "well-intentioned". But he had less
flattering words for opposition parties, labelling them members of a
"criminal cartel". He accused them of attempting to force the
formation of a "fraudulent interim government".
Borko
Stefanovic does not deny that the opposition parties are looking for the
establishment of a "government of experts".
The deputy
president of the Party of Freedom and Justice describes it as the "only
rational way out" of the political crisis, which would establish the
conditions for fresh elections.
Like other
opposition leaders, Stefanovic says that free elections are not currently
possible due to the Progressive Party's domination of the media and state
institutions.
But this is
not one of the students' demands. They are simply calling for the truth behind
the Novi Sad disaster to be established.
As law
professor Miodrag Jovanovic puts it "they are asking for the things I've
been lecturing about - the rule of law, respect for the constitution, and the
responsibility and accountability of public officials".
Whatever
happens during the "15th for 15" protest, it seems unlikely that the
students will relent until they receive some satisfactory answers.
Serbia
Belgrade
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