Student Protests in Serbia: Pinpointing its Key Characteristics and Tracking EU’s Response

The student-led protests in Serbia, triggered by the collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy on November 1, 2024, have grown into a nationwide movement against corruption and institutional failure. Initially demanding accountability, the protests expanded to include broader societal discontent, drawing support from farmers, unions, and civil society. Schools and universities partially suspended activities in defiance of government pressure. Despite the Prime Minister’s resignation in January 2025, the unrest continues. This paper examines the protests’ dynamics and public perception, alongside the EU’s response—particularly through discourse by EU institutions—and argues that financial conditionality and accession-related leverage could test the EU’s commitment to democratic principles.