Student protests in Serbia end 14 years of rule by Aleksandar Vučić's party

A railway station canopy collapse that killed 16 people has brought down the government of Serbian leader Aleksandar Vučić after 14 years in power. The concrete structure at the Novi Sad railway station crashed down on November 1, 2024, claiming the lives of 16 people, including two young children just six years old. Before the disaster, the station had recently undergone reconstruction as part of a major state-funded project linked to China's Belt and Road Initiative to upgrade the Belgrade-Budapest line for high-speed trains. Public fury over the poor construction work sparked accusations of corruption and official negligence, leading to widespread demonstrations led by students.

Context

Mass protests driven by public anger over infrastructure disasters and alleged corruption often place intense pressure on long-standing political leaders. In parliamentary systems, sustained street pressure and election outcomes can lead to rapid shifts in national leadership and the end of prolonged party rule.