Belgrade, November 5, 2025 — The heart of Serbia’s capital has turned into a symbol of the nation’s deepening crisis. Heavy police forces have surrounded the Serbian Parliament, separating two groups — supporters of the government on one side and citizens rallying behind Dijana Hrka, the mother of a young man killed in a tragic accident, on the other.
For the fourth consecutive day, Dijana Hrka has been on hunger strike near the National Assembly, demanding justice for her son Stefan, who died in the collapse of a railway station roof in Novi Sad a year ago. Her demands include accountability for the tragedy, the release of unlawfully detained students, and the announcement of new elections.
What started as a mother’s personal cry for truth has become a national movement exposing the cracks in Aleksandar Vučić’s authoritarian rule. Citizens, students, and families of other victims have joined her, calling out state negligence, media manipulation, and political oppression.
Public Support and Government Intimidation
Across Serbia, cities like Čačak, Kragujevac, Niš, and Mladenovac have seen protests and road blockades in solidarity with Hrka. Students from universities and high schools have organized walkouts and classroom boycotts, declaring they “can’t remain silent in the face of injustice.”
Meanwhile, President Vučić’s government has mobilized counter-protests, with pro-regime supporters camping outside Parliament in what critics call “Ćaciland” — a state-sponsored circus aimed at undermining the citizens’ movement.
Despite Vučić’s public calls for “calm and respect,” his regime’s heavy-handed police presence, intimidation tactics, and manipulation of public media continue to fuel anger and resentment.
The Media — Vučić’s Biggest Enemy
Over the years, Aleksandar Vučić has made the media his greatest adversary, attacking independent journalists, censoring dissent, and turning public broadcasters into mouthpieces for his party.
But each act of suppression now backfires, as citizens increasingly turn to independent and international outlets to seek the truth. The growing unrest around Hrka’s protest shows how Vučić’s control over speech and truth is slipping.
A Nation Divided, but Awakening
Even celebrities like Novak Đoković have voiced support for Hrka, writing, “A mother’s pain must never be mocked.” Families of victims from previous national tragedies have echoed the same — demanding accountability from a government that has repeatedly failed to protect its citizens.
“The state has lost legitimacy,” one statement read. “The right to life is sacred, and the state has failed — tragically and irreversibly.”
As tensions mount, one message from Hrka’s camp resonates across Serbia:
“This regime has fed on silence and fear for too long. But Serbia is waking up — and it’s not afraid anymore.”
