Political Crisis in Serbia Persists Five Months After Novi Sad Collapse; Government Responds with Repression Amidst Protests

The political crisis in Serbia continues five months after a canopy collapse in Novi Sad, which resulted in protests. Government members and students are analyzing the next steps. Despite mass protests in Belgrade on March 15, student demands for accountability regarding the collapse have not been met. The government has responded with repression, including suspending salaries of teachers and targeting university professors. President Aleksandar Vucic is forming a revamped "People's Movement for the State," launching officially in Belgrade from April 11-13. Citizens can participate by writing letters and sending criticisms to government officials. Students have begun a bicycle ride to Strasbourg, France, to present demands to the Council of Europe, highlighting the lack of response from Serbian institutions. The 1,300-kilometer journey is expected to last about 12 days.