A student-led strike in Serbia on Friday closed down numerous businesses and many people didn’t go to work as populist President Aleksandar Vucic planned a big rally to counter growing anti-government protests that have challenged his grip on power.

Many schools, bookstores, theatres and bars in Serbia's capital Belgrade and some other parts stayed shut on Friday in the latest anti-government protest triggered by a railway station roof collapse that killed 15 people in November.

Nationwide protests occur on same day that President Aleksandar Vucic holds rally in Jagodina to try to counter persistent anti-government demonstrations