The year 2025 in Serbia was marked by intense social and political tensions, symbolized vividly by a photo captured by Andrej Hložan during protests in Novi Sad on the night of August 13–14. The image, awarded as the best photograph in Serbia this year, shows members of the special military police unit “Kobre” clashing with demonstrators, encapsulating the tumultuous events of the past year.
The year began with tragedy. During a commemoration for victims of a collapsing canopy, a student named Sonja was struck by a car in a brutal incident. Her father described the event as a violent act against his daughter.
In response, students mobilized to demand justice, sparking civic engagement across Serbia. Citizens rallied behind them, but the government largely ignored their demands.
“The smarter do not yield—they organize. We are many, let us awaken cities and villages,” one student declared.
Protests took multiple forms, from marches and cycling events to student arrivals across towns, with citizens expressing solidarity:
“We gave our hearts and souls,” said one supporter.
“There are many tears, our hearts are full, that’s why we will persevere,” added another.
The student movement extended beyond Serbia’s borders, reaching the European Parliament in Strasbourg and Brussels, where students undertook marathon journeys—cycling and running—totaling over 2,000 kilometers, to make their voices heard.
“When you see such a reception, even mountains and millions of kilometers feel easy,” one student remarked upon reaching Strasbourg.
Despite this civic awakening, the government responded with repression. Police forces, often accompanied by party-affiliated activists, confronted protesters with batons and physical force. President Aleksandar Vučić praised police actions as “professional” and “patriotic” during multiple incidents of public crackdowns.
Violence was not limited to large cities. In Vrbas, activists aligned with the ruling SNS party attacked demonstrators with fireworks, stones, and bricks, prompting citizens to describe the scene as chaotic and dangerous.
“This is madness—throwing stones and bricks is not normal,” a local resident said.
As 2025 drew to a close, students reiterated their commitment to ongoing activism, while President Vučić indicated that 2026 would be an election year, hinting at potential political shifts ahead.
The events of 2025 in Serbia—student mobilizations, police brutality, and civic engagement—paint a picture of a society grappling with authority while asserting its voice, setting the stage for what may come in the new year.
