Miloš Djajić: We are not alone in this fight. The same fight for justice is happening in both our countries and in many others.

Miloš Djajić
Activist and President of the Steering Committee of the Center for Contemporary Skills

Sotiris Tsitos
Eteron Social Media Coordinator

Antonis Galanopoulos
PhD in Political Sciences, Eteron Project Coordinator

1. The duration of the protests in Belgrade, now over two months, and their mass participation is remarkable. What is the cause of the protests taking place in Belgrade? What is fueling the social unrest and mobilizations? And what are the main demands of the protesters?

For the first time in many years, Serbia is witnessing massive protests led by university students. What started as an act of remembrance for 15 innocent lives lost in the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad on November 1st has grown into a nationwide movement. Every Friday since November 14th, students have been holding 15-minute silent commemorations. But on November 22nd, during one of these peaceful gatherings at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts, the government sent its operatives and thugs to attack the students. Despite clear video evidence, the police and the prosecutor’s office refused to act.

This act of violence ignited the movement. Each faculty was blocked by students. One by one, universities across Belgrade, Novi Sad, Kragujevac, Niš, Subotica, Leskovac, and Novi Pazar joined the protests. They put forward four key demands:

Full transparency—release of all documents related to the railway station reconstruction.

Accountability—prosecute those responsible for violence against students.

Justice—drop all unjust criminal charges against peaceful demonstrators.

Better education—raise the budget for higher education by 20%.

Now, three months have passed since the tragedy, yet not a single demand has been fully met. And so, the students continue to fight.

2. We noticed that the protests are primarily directed against corruption. How is this related to the initial incident? Why is “corruption” chosen as a central element in the movement’s discourse?

The railway station where the tragedy occurred is part of a massive infrastructure project funded through a loan from China. Chinese companies have been granted exclusive contracts without transparency, oversight, or public tenders. Originally estimated at €5.5 million, the station’s reconstruction ended up costing €16.5 million. It is now clear that more than 200 subcontractors were involved in inflating costs and engaging in corruption.

The government refuses to release all the documentation, revealing only selective parts each week to buy time. But the students will not be deceived. They understand that corruption is not just about stolen money—it is a cause of death. It was corruption that led to faulty construction, which ultimately caused the canopy to collapse, taking 15 lives. That is why, from the very beginning, their slogan has been: “Corruption Kills.”

3. What are the particular characteristics of these protests? How do they differ from previous ones? Are there any innovative elements? Do you notice anything different in terms of the forms of action or their frequency?

These protests are unique because they are truly student-led. There are no political parties, no NGOs, no traditional structures behind them. Instead, they operate through plenums, open assemblies where decisions are made collectively. This is direct democracy in action.

Another striking aspect is the incredible unity and coordination among students across Serbia. They are using digital platforms and social media in innovative ways, creating viral content that amplifies their message. Their creativity is remarkable—every protest action, every slogan, every post is a small masterpiece of activism and resistance.

This is not just a protest; it is a movement redefining youth activism in Serbia.

4. Do you feel a sense of initial justice with the political consequences being recorded in Serbia? Is the lack of political accountability one of the most important problems for the functioning of democracy today? Are mass protests ultimately the only way to hold a government accountable?

We remember the Tempi tragedy well. Our hearts ache for the lives lost, just as ours do for the 15 victims in Serbia. Sadly, without public pressure, not even the Serbian Minister of Transport would have resigned. At first, the government tried to deny that the railway station canopy had even been reconstructed, a blatant attempt to deflect responsibility.

The truth is, in many of our countries, political accountability does not exist unless it is forced by the people. That is why trust in political parties is crumbling—citizens no longer see them as defenders of the public good.

In Serbia, the government is playing a waiting game, hoping the protests will fade. Yes, the government has fallen, but that is just a technicality. They are still in power, stretching constitutional deadlines to maintain control. This is not democracy. This is a warning sign that Serbia is drifting further away from the rule of law and European values.

Mass protests should not be the only way to ensure justice. But when institutions fail, when politicians betray their duty, the streets become the last line of defence for democracy. 

5. The people of Greece and Serbia share a common sense of pain and outrage and express solidarity with each other due to these two tragic events. How significant is this expression of solidarity? What message can we draw from such actions?

The connection between Serbia and Greece runs deep. We will never forget the support you gave us in 1999 during the NATO bombing. So many people from Serbia have visited Greece, and our cultures share a common spirit of resilience.

When we saw images and videos of solidarity from Athens, Thessaloniki, and beyond, it gave us strength. It reminded us that we are not alone in this fight. The same fight for justice is happening in both our countries and in many others.

These moments of connection between students from Serbia and Greece are more than just acts of solidarity. They are a sign of something bigger. The world is changing, and young people must stay vigilant. They must stand together against corruption, against impunity, against governments that place profit over people’s lives.

The students in Serbia are proving that change is possible. And perhaps, just perhaps, they can inspire others to rise, to demand better, to never accept injustice in silence.

*This interview was conducted on 5 February 2025.