Serbia: A Nation at a Crossroads

A Growing Protest Movement

Serbia is no stranger to protests, but the scale and persistence of the current demonstrations are unprecedented since the 1990s, when the country resisted the rule of Slobodan Milošević. Hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets, with estimates ranging from 100,000 (official figures) to much over 300,000 (civil society sources) in Belgrade alone. The protests began after the deadly collapse of a newly renovated roof of a railway station in Novi Sad, which killed 15 people. Calls for government transparency regarding the incident quickly escalated into wider discontent over corruption, media control, and democratic backsliding.

Despite mounting pressure, Vučić has remained defiant. While he publicly acknowledges the need for change, his administration has instead responded with intimidation tactics. Over the weekend, the police apparently used a weapon based on sound or radio frequency pulses. Videos show how demonstrators are suddenly driven apart. In January, Prime Minister Miloš Vučević was dismissed, but the protesters saw this as a symbolic move rather than a meaningful response to their demands. The government has also sought to control narratives by spreading misinformation, with state media accusing protesters of provoking violence. “The political system here has been delegitimized by the protests”, says Nenad Bušić, President of JEF Serbia EMinS (JEF Serbia).

The Key Demands

Die Protestbewegung, die hauptsächlich von Student*innen angeführt wird, hat vier klare Forderungen aufgestellt:

1. Full transparency regarding the Novi Sad railway station disaster, including the release of all related documentation.
2. Justice for victims of political violence, specifically the identification and punishment of those responsible for attacking protesters.
3. Dismissal of charges against student activists who have been targeted for participating in peaceful demonstrations and road blockades.
4. Increased funding for universities, a long-standing demand that reflects broader dissatisfaction with public sector investment.

These demands of the student protests do not explicitly call for Vučić’s resignation, yet his control over Serbian institutions means that meaningful change would likely require a shift in leadership. Already last year, citizens took to the streets to oppose a lithium-mining deal between Serbia and Germany. While the agreement was hailed in the EU as a step toward reducing reliance on China, many Serbians saw it as yet another example of opaque decision-making, environmental threats, and foreign interests being prioritized over local communities.

A Captured Democracy?

The erosion of democratic institutions in Serbia has been years in the making. Many view Vučić’s government as a continuation of the nationalist politics that emerged from the Yugoslav conflicts. Opposition parties struggle to gain traction as the president consolidates power, effectively turning Serbia into a one-man state. From parliament to the judiciary, institutions have been weakened, making it difficult for democratic forces to challenge the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

A key factor in Serbia’s democratic decline is its controlled media landscape. As JEF Serbia’s Nenad Busić explains, access to independent information is limited: “There is no publicly available broadcaster that reaches all citizens. Most media outlets are either state-controlled or push pro-government narratives, creating an environment hostile to democratic discourse.” Recent protests have forced some changes, with the national broadcaster RTS now reporting on demonstrations more regularly, but private media remain under tight government influence.

The International Dimension

Despite domestic unrest, Vučić retains significant international backing. His administration benefits from economic ties with European powers like Germany and France, which prioritize stability over democratic concerns. While some European politicians have echoed the protesters’ demands, the European Union as a whole has failed to take decisive action against Serbia’s democratic decline.

Simultaneously, Vučić maintains strong ties with Russia. Serbia has not enforced EU sanctions against Moscow, and Russian influence remains prominent in the country’s media and energy sectors. Even as Serbia makes symbolic concessions to Western partners—such as transferring oil company ownership from Russian to American firms—its deep historical and political ties to Russia persist

The Future of the Protest Movement

Serbia now stands at a crossroads. Protesters are pushing for systemic reform, but without strong political leadership, sustaining momentum will be a challenge. The movement remains leaderless by design, aiming to distance itself from traditional opposition figures. However, the absence of a clear political alternative may allow Vučić to weather the storm, as previous governments in the region have done.

Filip Janković of JEF Serbia highlights the deeper cultural challenge: “Serbia is still caught between its past and future. Many view Russia as a historical ally, while disappointment in EU integration has grown. Only 39% of the population now supports joining the EU.” This lack of a clear European path, combined with widespread frustration over corruption and economic stagnation, complicates efforts to mobilize sustained political change.

As JEF Europe’s Democracy Under Pressure campaign reminds us, the struggle for democracy is ongoing, and international support for democratic forces in Serbia remains crucial. The coming months will reveal whether the student-led movement can force real change or if Serbia will continue down the path of democratic erosion