Serbia’s striking students and supporters of populist President Aleksandar Vucic are holding parallel rallies as both mark the country’s Statehood Day with notably contrasting messages.

Amid democratic backsliding across Europe, Serbian students have shown the way to reimagining democracy and governance.

Anger drove Marija Petrovic to join student protests in Belgrade in November. A railway station roof had collapsed days earlier in the Serbian city of Novi Sad, killing 15 people. Thugs then set upon demonstrators who were calling for justice for the dead.

Thousands rallied in Serbia's capital supporting students protesting against corruption, following a deadly incident in Novi Sad. The students, facing governmental pressure, demand accountability. Their cause draws widespread public backing,

The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office sent the entire files regarding the fall of the canopy at the train station in Novi Sad to the Public Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime.

In Serbia, university students marching against corruption were received warmly by locals with homemade treats. Protests began after a deadly incident at Novi Sad train station, believed to result from government corruption.

Thousands flooded the streets of Serbia’s capital in a noisy support rally for protesting university students and their monthslong fight for changes in the Balkan country.