On Friday, Serbia’s nationalist-populist leader, Aleksandar Vučić, held a pre-election rally in Novi Sad. This northern city experienced a tragic train station accident resulting in the deaths of 16 people nearly two years ago. This incident sparked widespread anti-government protests throughout the country.
The rally drew thousands of supporters, many of whom were bused in from across the country. It marked Vučić’s first significant appearance in Novi Sad since the protests began in November 2024. The leader, representing the nationalist right-wing Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), faces a critical test in the upcoming 25 October elections, after 14 years in power.
His main opposition comes from the Students’ List, supported by university students who have been vocal in demanding accountability for the train station tragedy, which many attribute to inadequate construction practices and corruption-fueled negligence.
The persistent protests have posed a substantial challenge for Vučić, culminating in government instability driven by hundreds of thousands of demonstrators. His return to Novi Sad was seen as a show of confidence ahead of the impending election, during which he said he believed the SNS would win.
During his speech, Vučić suggested, without evidence, that foreign entities organised and financed the student-led protests. He stated, “A lot of money came from abroad; billions were brought in to destroy Serbia. They used the tragedy to turn against our Serbia … they harbour animosity toward everything that is Serbian.”
A notable figure present at the rally was Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who praised Vučić in a speech delivered in Serbian. Critics of Vučić and the SNS have accused the administration of undermining democratic freedoms, facilitating widespread corruption, and maintaining ties to organised crime—accusations the party has consistently denied. As Serbia formally seeks European Union membership, progress has stalled under Vučić’s leadership, which close ties to Russia and China have characterised.
To date, no individuals have been held accountable for the train station tragedy, and the issue remains a delicate topic for the residents of Novi Sad. In anticipation of the rally, students have encouraged residents to stay away to avoid potential confrontations with Vučić’s supporters.
During his address, Vučić pledged to pursue justice for the victims of the Novi Sad tragedy. Pro-government media reported that he arrived by train and walked through the city, accompanied by supporters expressing their enthusiasm.
Many in the crowd waved flags emblazoned with the image of Ratko Mladić, a former Bosnian Serb commander convicted of genocide by a UN war crimes tribunal for crimes committed during the conflict in Bosnia from 1992 to 1995. After he died in The Hague, Netherlands, in September, Belgrade honoured Mladić posthumously.
As the election approaches on 25 October, Vučić has resigned as president to lead the SNS campaign and bolster its prospects in the parliamentary election. While previous demonstrations in Novi Sad led to confrontations between law enforcement and Vučić’s supporters, no significant incidents were reported at Friday’s rally.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
