Members of the European Parliament on February 12 held a plenary debate on the political crisis in Serbia, triggered by the November 2024 collapse of a concrete canopy at Novi Sad’s main train station, which claimed the lives of 15 people. The incident has sparked months of student protests demanding accountability and an end to corruption in the government.

The debate was convened at the request of the Social Democrats and follows ongoing protests against the Serbian government’s handling of the tragedy and broader concerns over the country’s democratic failings. 

The November 1 disaster in Novi Sad has become a focal point for anti-government sentiment in Serbia, with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets in the months since, calling for an investigation into the collapse and a reckoning over widespread corruption. In response to months of mass protests, Serbia’s Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned, along with several other high-profile officials. Despite the resignations and other government concessions, public anger has not subsided. 

The protests have escalated into a larger movement questioning the state of democracy in Serbia and the credibility of President Aleksandar Vucic’s administration. The tragedy has become emblematic of growing frustration with the government, with citizens accusing it of prioritising development projects over safety standards and failing to address systemic corruption and issues regarding the rule of law. 

After months of silence from the EU, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos published an open letter on February 5, calling for a full, impartial and swift investigation into incidents targeting demonstrators in Serbia. Kos stressed the importance of the right to freedom of assembly and expressed concern over the reported incidents of police aggression against protesters.

“We stand by the right of Serbian citizens to peacefully assemble and express their grievances,” Kos said in her letter. “It is crucial that the Serbian authorities ensure a full investigation into the targeting of students and citizens who are protesting in the wake of this tragedy.”

During the debate on February 12, which included the participation of members of the Serbian National Assembly, Kos reiterated the European Commission’s commitment to closely following developments in Serbia, especially as the student-led protests gain momentum and attract broad public support. She also underscored the critical role of citizen participation and civil society in strengthening democracy.

“The European Commission is monitoring the situation in Serbia with great concern,” Kos said. “We recognise the vital role that citizens, particularly students, play in demanding accountability. The European Union stands by the principles of democracy and the rule of law, which must be upheld in Serbia.”

The EU’s previous silence on the protests had drawn criticism, with some accusing Brussels of putting economic interests (i.e. its lithium deal with the Serbian government) above key human rights and democratic issues in Serbia. During the debate, some MEPs argued that the EU had been too lenient in its approach to Serbia’s governance.

On February 13, the European Union-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC) voted against adopting a joint declaration on Serbia’s accession progress, highlighting concerns related to the ongoing protests, as well as other issues such as the country’s ongoing ties with Russia.

Despite the tragedy in Novi Sad, and the ongoing protests, Serbian officials have maintained that the incident was a result of an unforeseen technical failure, and have rejected accusations of systemic corruption linked to the collapse. However, public dissatisfaction remains high, and many in Serbia view the government's response as inadequate.