Thousands of people demonstrated Thursday 1er May, in Serbia, Belgrade and Novi Sad (North), at the call of students and unions. A first in the country, since 1er November, when the concrete awning at Novi Sad station collapsed, killing two people, including two children.
This event sparked a wave of demonstrations, which has turned into a vast challenge to the system and corruption, the largest in Serbia for decades, with spearhead students. The rally brought together 18,000 people, according to estimates by an independent counting organization, 6,200 according to the authorities, before dissolving in the early evening.
Several thousand people, families, retirees or young people, converged in Belgrade in the early afternoon in a concert of whistles, in front of the government offices. The demonstrators sported Serbian flags, but also of trade union organizations, in particular automotive or energy sectors, as well as many badges on which was inscribed “Pumpaj” (“Put the pressure”), one of the rallying cries of the movement.
“The five largest unions united for the first time in history and organized this event with students together”explained in the Zeljko veselinovic procession, leader of the Sloga union (unit).
Unpaid teachers
“From the start, I have been what students do and I have supported them. It is important that students and workers act together and fight for a better future ”assures the France-Presse agency an employee of the private sector, Milica Petrovic, a 46-year-old economist, who came to demonstrate to “Get better working and life conditions”.
To the claims of students – prosecution against the accidents of the accident at Novi SAD station, abandonment of charges against students arrested during demonstrations – are now added requests on the legislation of the right to strike, brought loud and clear Thursday by the demonstrators.
“The main message is intended for the Serbian government to urgently adopt a new labor law and a new law on strike”explains the union leader, Zeljko Veselinovic.
Many teachers who have supported students have been without salary for months, due to wandering laws allowing the principals not to pay them, even if they are not on strike.
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Echoing the union representative, a student also evokes a union union. “We are not tired and we are not going [nous] stop “says Anja Despotovic, in the fourth year at the electrical engineering faculty of Belgrade. This joint gathering is, she says, “The first step towards strengthening this cooperation” between students and unions, “And towards a certain future radicalization”.
“Six months have passed since the collapse of the awning [à Novi Sad]this tragedy for which no one has yet been found guilty ”has launched a student representative from a platform. “We are demanding justice for the dead and the wounded, for these victims of lies and corruption. »»
On the road to the United States, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, said in the Serbian media in Miami, that the state had made “Everything that was possible” in terms of “Criminal, moral and political responsibility”notably mentioning the resignation of the Prime Minister, Milos Vacevic.
“In the past six months (…) We attended the crime of destruction of unprecedented Serbia, unprecedented terror ”he said in reference to the demonstrators, calling “Sad” Thursday’s rally. “Time” demonstrators are ” pass “he warned, comes that of ” responsibility (…) for crimes they have committed against our country ”.
“Color Revolution”
Earlier in the day, several thousand people gathered at 11:52 a.m., at the time of the drama that hit Novi Sad station, to pay tribute to the victims, Beta agency reported. The demonstrators wore red heart -shaped balloons on which the first names of the victims were written. They inaugurated a commemorative plaque in front of the station on which is written: “Novi Sad remembers, 1er November 2024, 11:52 am. “
Since the drama, Serbia has experienced almost one demonstration per day, from Belgrade, where hundreds of thousands of people have paraded, even in the smallest villages.
Students tirelessly walked, taken their bike and pedaling over long distances to publicize their fight even in isolated places where only the media close to power are accessible, but also until European bodies, in Strasbourg or Brussels.