Following Aleksandar Vučić’s victory in the 2022 presidential elections, many believed that Serbia had entered a period of political stability. However, the outbreak of violence in the country shattered that notion. The first major shock came on May 3, 2023, with the massacre at Ribnikar primary school in Belgrade, followed by another tragedy the next day in the villages of Malo Orašje and Dubona, where 20 young people lost their lives. These events sparked immediate protests across the country, though initially, the opposition’s demands were unclear and lacked unity.
Despite these challenges, Vučić remained resilient. In September, opposition leaders demanded early elections, which he reluctantly agreed to, but despite accusations of electoral manipulation, Vučić held onto power. The protests faded, and everything appeared to return to normal.
Then came a new disaster on November 1, 2024, when a concrete canopy collapsed at the newly renovated Novi Sad railway station, killing 15 people. The government’s failure to take responsibility became evident, and the public backlash intensified. A protest in Novi Sad, with 30,000 attendees, marked the beginning of a new wave of unrest. The regime responded with typical tactics, accusing the opposition of violence and planting provocateurs among the protesters. Yet, the protests continued to grow, with daily 15-minute commemorations and demands for accountability.
The situation escalated when students from the Faculty of Drama Arts (FDU) organized a protest in response to the violence they faced at the hands of pro-government thugs. The protests quickly spread across the country, and all four state universities joined the movement. The students presented four key demands:
- Publication of the full documentation on the reconstruction of the Novi Sad railway station.
- Criminal charges against those who assaulted FDU students.
- Dropping criminal charges against students who participated in protests.
- A 20% increase in funding for state universities.
Vučić attempted to downplay the protests through a media campaign and false narratives, hoping the holidays would dilute the public’s anger. However, in a stunning move, the students responded by stating that they had no interest in negotiating with an incompetent government. This marked a crucial turning point. The fear that had kept Vučić in power began to dissipate.
Protests erupted across Serbia, even in small towns and villages. Students, who were seen as the nation’s liberators, were greeted with overwhelming support from ordinary citizens. Despite Vučić’s efforts to maintain control, the momentum continued to build. While his support from Russia and his political allies, including Putin, remained, he was losing favor both at home and abroad. Serbia’s economy was collapsing, strikes were increasing, and Vučić’s promises had become hollow.
The student protests, driven by their demands for justice and accountability, are set to reach a new peak with a massive demonstration planned for March 15, 2025. The previous protest in Slavija, attended by over 100,000 people, showed the scale of discontent, and the upcoming rally is expected to be even larger. Will Vučić meet the students’ demands? Most likely not. By doing so, he would undermine his own power and further expose the systemic corruption he’s built.
The worst-case scenario could be a violent end to his regime, but that would only harm Serbia and further alienate the country from the European Union. A better solution would be for the opposition, NGOs, and trade unions to push for EU mediation in forming a pro-European transitional government. Such a government could address the students’ demands, implement necessary reforms, and ensure free elections.
Serbia and the region desperately need a strong and determined EU intervention to help resolve this crisis and move toward a brighter future.
