Students in Serbia threaten disobedience: Vucic wobbles!

Students in Serbia threaten disobedience: Vucic wobbles!

In Serbia, pressure is growing on President Aleksandar Vučić as a result of ongoing protests that have been challenging the government since last fall. The protests were triggered by a tragic event: the collapse of a train station canopy in Novi Sad, in which 16 people lost their lives on November 1, 2024. Critics attribute this misfortune to systemic corruption and botched construction, as the building was only recently renovated and put back into operation in July 2024. These incidents have triggered a wave of indignation, which has now resulted in numerous demonstrations and a state of lockdown at universities for the past six months. According to Kosmo, the protesters, who are mainly organized by students, have already held thousands of rallies and are demanding new elections and accountability from the government.

The students' resistance is particularly notable as they seek an independent movement without strong ties to the traditional opposition. “We are not political prisoners, but students who want to bring about change,” said one protest participant. Nevertheless, the protest movement is confronted with resistance. Vučić and his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) are trying to characterize the protests as foreign-controlled and have repeatedly rejected new elections. The critical view of the media was also influenced by attacks on journalists and the control of state media, which further increased the unrest.

Massive numbers of participants and government reactions

The largest demonstration took place in Belgrade in mid-March 2025 and is estimated to have had around 275,000 to 325,000 participants. However, the Interior Ministry put this number at around 100,000, which has increased tensions. Clashes between government supporters and demonstrators were reported during the protests, further inflaming the tense situation. In recent months, authorities have also charged 12 people in connection with the roof collapse, including former construction minister Goran Vesić, whose detention has since been suspended.

The protest movement has now announced civil disobedience if the demands for new elections are not met. Independent polls show that around two thirds of the population support the protests. Nevertheless, there are very different opinions about the origins and motives of the protests. The government also recently announced an anti-corruption campaign, while Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and two ministers resigned due to the developments. These resignations were interpreted by Vučić as a reaction to an attack on a student in Novi Sad. Despite the political turmoil, the government continues to stick to controversial major projects, including Expo 2027 and lithium mining.

The challenge for the regime

The ongoing protests represent a serious challenge to the authoritarian regime of the president, who has now been in power for 13 years. According to Deutschlandfunk, Vučić's style of government is characterized by control of the media and systematic suppression of opposition combined with a deep grip on the structure of the political system. Serbia is also under pressure as an EU accession candidate, but progress in the accession process is stagnating, especially in the area of ​​the rule of law. Forecasts suggest the regime may resort to violence to stay in power.

Overall, the situation in Serbia is extremely tense and the question remains whether President Vučić will be able to get this tumultuous wave of discontent under control. Pressure from the population and the international community is growing as protesters demonstrate their determination to fight for their rights.