Serbian pensioners gathered in the centre of Belgrade on February 5 to show solidarity with protesting students, marching in support of their ongoing demands.

The February 5 demonstration was the latest in a series of protests that have garnered significant public support, with hundreds of thousands of citizens joining in across more than 200 cities and towns across Serbia. The ongoing unrest is testing the resolve of the Serbian government, which faces increasing pressure from diverse sections of the electorate who are calling for meaningful change.

Several hundred pensioners assembled at Republic Square, one of Belgrade’s central landmarks, carrying banners that read: “I don’t care about the pension, but I won’t give up on justice. Long live the students, baby boomers are with you,” and “Students are the brain and heart of Serbia”.

The demonstration follows the deaths of 15 people in a railway station incident in Novi Sad in November 2024, which has triggered months of mass protests throughout the country. Protesters blame the government for the collapse of a concrete canopy at the station, which had only recently been renovated.

The protest was organised by the Association of Trade Unions of Retired Military Personnel of Serbia in cooperation with other pensioners' groups. Following the rally at Republic Square, pensioners were joined by a group of students, and together they marched a few hundred metres to Student Square, a site traditionally associated with youth activism in Belgrade.

The crowd then proceeded to the Ministry of Education, where they participated in a protest led by deans from eight university faculties. The deans have been vocal in opposing government threats to educators who have supported the student-led demonstrations. Teachers have reportedly faced pressure, including the threat of salary cuts and even dismissal, for their role in supporting the student movement.

Student protests, which have been ongoing for over two months, have seen more than 60 faculties at five Serbian universities blocked by demonstrators. Students are demanding greater transparency and the release of documents related to the reconstruction of the Novi Sad Railway Station, the prosecution of those responsible for assaulting students during protests and the immediate withdrawal of charges against demonstrators arrested in the aftermath of the tragedy.

While the Serbian government claims that it has addressed the students' demands, the protesters remain unconvinced and have vowed to continue their actions until their grievances are fully addressed.