Thousands of people in Serbia protested again on Friday, joining anti-government demonstrations that have become a recurring issue nationwide. The protests were sparked by demands for a general strike, which student-led groups believe is necessary to address widespread corruption and poor infrastructure work in the country.
The main focus of recent protests has been the collapse of a Novi Sad train station last November, which killed 15 people after authorities reportedly ignored warnings about dangerous construction practices. Since then, similar protests have taken place across Serbia, with demonstrators blocking roads and holding 15 minutes of silence to mark the time the collapses occurred.
President Aleksandar Vucic has accused students of working under foreign orders aimed at overthrowing Serbian authorities. Meanwhile, his government has faced criticism for not taking sufficient action against those responsible for the infrastructure projects involving Chinese companies.
The protests have gained momentum despite ongoing efforts by authorities to limit their scope and disrupt daily life.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/serbia-thousands-protest-over-novi-sad-station-collapse/a-71400148