BELGRADE, Serbia, Sept 13 – Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is facing the most determined wave of dissent since he came to power more than a decade ago. What started as a small student-led demonstration against corruption has turned into nationwide protests, shaking the foundations of his populist rule and pushing Serbia into one of its most turbulent periods in recent history.
Rights groups and political rivals accuse the government of resorting to increasingly harsh tactics to suppress the unrest. Reports of arbitrary arrests, police brutality, and intimidation have only added fuel to public anger. Many observers now see this movement as the most serious threat yet to Vucic’s long-standing grip on power.
From Nationalist Roots to Consolidated Power
Vucic’s political journey reflects both Serbia’s turbulent past and its uncertain present. He emerged in the 1990s as a member of the Serbian Radical Party, known for its hardline nationalist stance. During the conflicts that tore through the Balkans, he served as information minister under Slobodan Milosevic, where he became notorious for targeting independent media and using inflammatory rhetoric against neighboring states.
Following the ouster of Milosevic in 2000, Vucic reinvented himself. He helped establish the Serbian Progressive Party, promising modernization and European integration. Over the years, however, his style of governance shifted toward strongman politics. By tightening control over the media, consolidating institutions under loyal allies, and using populist rhetoric, he steadily entrenched his dominance.
Despite presenting himself as a reformer, Vucic has faced persistent criticism for alleged corruption and the erosion of democratic standards. His rule has long been marked by an uneasy balance between courting the European Union and maintaining close ties with Russia and other authoritarian states.
Protests Sparked by Tragedy
The current wave of demonstrations began after a deadly incident in the northern city of Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, when a canopy collapsed at a railway station undergoing a Chinese-backed renovation. The disaster claimed at least 16 lives, sparking outrage over negligence and corruption tied to state-run projects.
Students were the first to act. They began blocking traffic every Friday for 15 minutes, symbolically standing in silence for the victims. The movement soon grew beyond university campuses, tapping into wider frustrations over rising living costs, political patronage, and a sense of impunity among the ruling elite.
At first, the rallies were peaceful, consisting of marches, sit-ins, and candlelight vigils. But tensions escalated when riot police, plainclothes officers, and even groups of pro-government hooligans began confronting demonstrators with batons, flares, and tear gas. These clashes hardened the resolve of protesters and spread the movement beyond Belgrade into dozens of cities and towns.
What makes this wave different from previous protests is its persistence and breadth. While earlier demonstrations fizzled after disputed elections or controversial urban projects, today’s mobilization has continued to grow, fueled by repeated crackdowns and a refusal by authorities to engage meaningfully with protesters’ demands.
Mounting Pressure at Home and Abroad
Vucic’s reaction has been a mix of defiance and tightening control. He has branded student leaders as “terrorists,” accusing them of working with foreign powers to destabilize Serbia, though he has provided no evidence to support such claims. His government has dismissed calls for early elections and instead sacked more than 100 professors, teachers, and university deans, replacing them with loyalists. While some faculties have reopened, others remain shuttered in protest.
The president has also sought to bolster his international image. In September 2024, he attended a summit alongside leaders from Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran, declaring that they supported his handling of domestic unrest. At the same time, he has maintained limited cooperation with Western nations, including allowing arms exports to Ukraine, signaling his desire to remain strategically flexible.
The European Union, which Serbia has aspired to join since 2012, has issued warnings about democratic backsliding. Brussels has repeatedly emphasized the need for reforms in the judiciary, media freedom, and anti-corruption measures. Yet, critics argue that Europe’s response has been muted, partly due to fears that destabilizing Vucic could reignite instability in the Balkans.
For ordinary Serbians, the struggle has become more than a fight against corruption. Protesters are now demanding a free press, an independent judiciary, and accountability for state violence. Each week, more citizens join demonstrations, and each crackdown seems only to deepen resistance.
A Deepening Crisis
With neither side showing any sign of compromise, Serbia faces a political standoff with potentially explosive consequences. Protesters insist on early elections and systemic reforms, while Vucic has doubled down on rhetoric and repression. The longer the impasse continues, the greater the risk of further unrest and even bloodshed.
The high-stakes confrontation has left Serbia at a crossroads. For Vucic, once seen as the strongman who could balance East and West, the protests now represent not just a challenge to his authority but a test of whether Serbia can move toward greater democracy or sink further into authoritarian rule.