Serbian Farmers Join University Students in Strike over Traffic: Demands for Accountability

In a scene unprecedented, university students in Serbia, supported by farmers and some thousands of citizens, have mounted a blockade of a big traffic junction in Belgrade in a 24-hour protest against the government's negligence. This forceful protest pushes up a notch the unending public hue and cry that has surged regarding the collapse of a canopy in Novi Sad in November that had taken 15 lives. What started as students' cry for justice has rapidly grown into one of the most huge and grave challenges to Serbia's leadership in years.

Key Features of the Protest:

1. Students Lead the Protest:

• Enraged by the collapse, Serbian university students spearheaded the 24-hour blockade; they protested at a crucial traffic junction in Belgrade.
• The collapse, which killed 15 people, is widely blamed on government corruption, as critics point to the sloppy reconstruction work on the canopy at Novi Sad's train station.
• Students who have been protesting for weeks continued demanding accountability from authorities centered on the investigation into this tragedy and further corruption issues of the government.

1. Farmers Join in Solidarity:

• Serbian farmers, riding tractors, joined the student blockade-a clear indication of broad support from rural communities. Their participation adds a powerful layer of unity, as farmers have long been vocal about government policies that hit at the heart of their livelihoods.
• Thousands of citizens from all walks of life also joined in the protest, showcasing a growing national consensus against the populist government's policies.

1. The Government Response: The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, was flanked by the Prime Minister, Milos Vucevic, and Speaker Ana Brnabic of Parliament, to appeal for dialogue with protesting students in an apparent attempt to diffuse tensions. Vucic conceded that the protests could hit Serbia's economy hard and asserted such turmoil was a bad influence on stability in his country.

• Students have, however, largely rejected Vucic's offer because he does not have constitutional powers to hold talks with them; they feel that the president's involvement is a strategy aimed at manipulating the situation for political gains.

1. Violence and Tensions:
   But the protests have not been incident-free. In the last few weeks, there have been reports of drivers intentionally driving into protesters and causing injuries, striking two young women.
   On Monday, the police deployed traffic police to secure the protest site and avoid further violence, ensuring the safety of the demonstrators. Despite the tension, students kept their protest peaceful: they set up tents, played volleyball, and held a daily 15-minute moment of silence at 11:52 AM, the exact time of the canopy collapse.
2. Government Accountability and Corruption:
   Novi Sad's tragic incident brought in new calls for openness within Serbia's political and construction sectors. Renovations on the railway station were conducted by Chinese state-owned companies which were poorly executed, causing a collapse of its canopy.

• Serbian prosecutors have charged 13 people, including top government officials. But in a surprise move, a former construction minister, Goran Vesic, was released from detention, raising questions about the independence of the investigation.

1. The Future of the Protests:
   While protests spiralled out of control, many feel that this is the moment of truth for Serbia. The mass mobilisation of farmers, students, and ordinary citizens shows the growing public discontent to allow the current government to handle any vital issue.

• The blockade in Belgrade is only one of a series of demonstrations that have swept the nation, as Serbs call for justice over the victims of the canopy collapse and an end to corrupt practices within the government.

Conclusion:

This 24-hour blockade of Belgrade's traffic is more than a protest against impunity that trailed a fatal accident; it is symbolic of a nation increasingly frustrated with its leadership. Here, Serbian farmers join students and citizens in this historic act of defiance, placing greater pressure on the government to do something about corruption, mismanagement, and lack of accountability. The more far-reaching the protests, the more unpredictable the future of Serbia is, while citizens loudly demand change.