Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Kragujevac, central Serbia, on February 15, to mark Statehood Day, as anti-corruption demonstrations show no signs of abating. The 15-hour rally, organised by students and citizens from across the country, called for justice and accountability following the deadly collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, which killed 15 people.

Statehood Day, which commemorates Serbia’s first uprising against the Ottomans and the 1835 adoption of the country’s constitution, has long been a day of national pride. However, this year’s celebrations were overshadowed by growing political turmoil and public dissatisfaction with the government.

The protest is the latest in a series of nationwide demonstrations that have intensified since the tragedy. Protesters accuse the government of corruption and cronyism, blaming these issues for the collapse at the station in Novi Sad, which was only recently renovated. While the government has argued that the incident was caused by an unforeseeable technical failure, many citizens remain unconvinced.

The gathering in Kragujevac, a city of historical importance as the former capital of Serbia, was one of the largest protests in recent months. Students from cities including Novi Sad, Belgrade, Nis, Kraljevo, Uzice, Novi Pazar and Cacak travelled for days to attend, with some walking over 150 kilometres to join the rally. Along their route, they received support and hospitality from local communities, a reflection of the widespread backing the movement has garnered.

On the same day, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic addressed a pro-government rally in Sremska Mitrovica, portraying the ongoing protests as an attempt to destabilise the country. Vucic, who faces mounting political pressure, sought to discredit the demonstrators by accusing them of being part of a foreign-backed effort to instigate a “colour revolution.” The president further claimed, without providing evidence, that the protests were secretly advocating for the separation of the northern province of Vojvodina.

“Serbia is under attack from both inside and outside,” Vucic said, pledging to crush any efforts to destabilise the government. The rally attracted large crowds, though reports suggest that many attendees were public sector employees who may have been pressured to attend.

The protests, which began in Novi Sad shortly after the canopy collapse, have now spread across the country, with significant demonstrations in Belgrade and other major cities. The growing unrest has led to the resignation of several high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and Novi Sad Mayor Milan Djuric. Protesters continue to demand justice for the victims and increased transparency in government infrastructure projects.

The student-led movement has outlined four key demands: the release of all documents related to the renovation of the Novi Sad railway station, prosecution of those responsible for the violence against protesters in previous demonstrations, cessation of legal proceedings against arrested students, and a 20% increase in the higher education budget.

As protests persist, the country braces for further unrest. A mass protest is already scheduled for March 1 in Nis, signalling that the movement will continue its challenge to Vucic’s leadership in the coming weeks and months ahead.