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https://theconversation.com/serbia-is-facing-its-largest-ever-protest-movement-why-is-europe-looking-away-249388>
"On November 1 2024, the roof of a newly €55 million renovated railway station
in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second biggest city, collapsed and killed 15 people. The
deaths sparked Serbia’s largest wave of student-led anti-government protests
since Yugoslavia’s disintegration in 2000.
The protests pose the most serious threat to Serbian president Aleksandar
Vučić’s power since he became prime minister in 2014, and president in 2017.
The protest movement has highlighted Vučić’s growing authoritarian rule and
widespread corruption in Serbia.
Serbians believe that the deadly roof collapse was caused by government
corruption. The station was renovated by a Chinese-led consortium as part of
China’s Belt and Road Initiative investments and growing political ties with
Serbia. The Chinese consortium and Vučić refused to publish the railway station
restoration procurement contract after protesters demanded it.
The protesters have four demands: the publication of all procurement documents
concerning the renovation of the station, a stop to the prosecution of students
arrested during the protests, the prosecution of police and security forces
involved in attacking students during the protests and a 20% increase in the
budget for higher education.
However, the Serbian government and media — most of which Vučić controls
through a network of political patronage and cronyism – are downplaying the
protests and threatening students.
Vučić claims that foreign powers are behind the protests to topple him and
destabilise Serbia. Russia and China have fully supported Vučić’s claims that
Serbia is the target of a western plot to orchestrate the protesters and
overthrow Vučić."
Via Muse.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
