Serbian Students Cycle 1,300 km to Strasbourg for EU Support

A group of around 80 Serbian university students has embarked on a 1,300-kilometer cycling journey from Novi Sad to Strasbourg, aiming to draw attention to their ongoing protests against corruption and demand justice following a tragic train station canopy collapse that killed 16 people. The students, who have been central to a nationwide anti-graft movement, seek to garner support from EU institutions as Serbia pursues membership in the bloc. Starting their journey in chilly weather, they plan to cover about 100-150 kilometers daily through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany, receiving support from local communities and the Serbian diaspora along the way. Despite strong domestic backing for their protests, the students express frustration over the lack of EU attention to their plight under President Aleksandar Vucic's government, which has been accused of stifling democratic freedoms. Their goal is to amplify their demands for justice and accountability as they arrive in Strasbourg to engage with European officials. The protests have persisted for over four months and reflect broader discontent with the current administration's handling of corruption and governance issues.