Students Demand Safety and Justice in North Macedonia and Serbia After Deadly Incidents
Students in North Macedonia and Serbia took to the streets in April 2025, demanding safety and justice following two tragic incidents: the Kocani fire and the Novi Sad canopy collapse. Despite their calls for unity, journalist Angela Petkova expressed disappointment in the lack of public empathy and student solidarity.
The Kocani fire and Novi Sad canopy collapse exposed long-standing issues within public systems and governance, including regulatory negligence and political apathy. Families of Kocani victims held a 'March for the Angels' protest in Skopje on April 29, 2025, carrying a banner that read 'Selective responsibility equals irresponsibility'. Young people in both countries joined the protests, calling for safety in public spaces, dignity in governance, and justice for the lives lost.
Both Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski of North Macedonia and President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia acknowledged public frustration but dismissed the protests as politically motivated. Authorities in both countries attempted to discredit the students, labeling them as 'political enemies'. Media expert Ilir Gashi noted that prior to these protests, young people in Serbia were largely invisible in the media, leading to assumptions that they were apolitical and disengaged. Students' voices were often sidelined in media coverage, with some facing intimidation and smear campaigns for participating in protests.
The students' demands for safety, justice, and dignity in governance following the Kocani fire and Novi Sad canopy collapse were met with mixed responses from authorities. While some acknowledged public frustration, others dismissed the protests as politically motivated and attempted to discredit the students. The lack of public empathy and student unity, as noted by Angela Petkova, may hinder the progress of these demands.
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