Student-Led Protests Rock Serbia, Threatening Vucic’s Grip on Power
Serbia is currently gripped by a wave of intense student-led protests that pose the most significant challenge to President Aleksandar Vucic’s 14-year reign. Over 100,000 individuals have taken to the streets of Belgrade and other cities across the nation, voicing their outrage over systemic corruption within the government and demanding greater accountability. The protests reached a fever pitch on March 15, when an estimated 300,000 people marched in the center of Belgrade, marking what many believe to be the largest demonstration in Serbia’s recent history.
President Vucic, known for his close ties to Russia, has adopted a defiant stance, dismissing calls for his resignation and accusing the protest movement of fomenting violence and inciting civil unrest. His rhetoric echoes that of other leaders facing popular uprisings, who often attempt to delegitimize dissent by portraying it as externally driven and inherently destabilizing.
The protests initially erupted in response to the government’s perceived mishandling of the aftermath of a tragic railway station collapse in Novi Sad in November, which resulted in the deaths of 15 people. The collapse, which occurred after renovations carried out by two Chinese companies, exposed deep-seated issues of negligence and lack of oversight within the government and its affiliated entities.
While the railway disaster served as the immediate catalyst for the protests, the underlying causes run much deeper. Many Serbians harbor widespread dissatisfaction with Vucic’s government, perceiving it as corrupt and lacking in transparency. The protesters are demanding greater press freedom, accountability from public officials, and a commitment to upholding the rule of law.
The government’s attempts to quell the unrest have been met with skepticism and further fueled public anger. Measures such as arresting individuals allegedly involved in past corrupt dealings and the resignation of the prime minister in January have been dismissed as superficial gestures intended to placate the public without addressing the root causes of the problem.
Adding to the complexity of the situation is Serbia’s delicate position between Europe and Russia. While Vucic has maintained close ties with Moscow, the country is also seeking closer integration with the European Union. This balancing act has become increasingly difficult as geopolitical tensions have intensified, particularly in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Some experts and observers of the Balkans have criticized the Biden administration’s regional policy, arguing that it has been too lenient toward the Vucic regime and has failed to adequately address its antidemocratic practices. The administration’s efforts to maintain close ties with Belgrade have been seen as crucial to the Serbia-Kosovo normalization process and Serbia’s path toward EU membership. However, critics argue that this approach has come at the expense of promoting democratic values and holding Vucic accountable for his actions.
The situation has also drawn the attention of foreign policy analysts and security experts, who are concerned about the potential for Russian interference in the region. Ivana Stradner, a research fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, warned that Russia could provide Serbia with intelligence support, potentially exacerbating the situation and undermining stability.
Vucic himself has accused the protesters of orchestrating a Western-backed "color revolution," drawing parallels to the 2014 Euromaidan Revolution in Ukraine, which ousted a pro-Russian president. This narrative attempts to portray the protests as part of a larger geopolitical struggle, with external forces seeking to destabilize Serbia and undermine its sovereignty.
Adding to the controversy, nongovernmental and civil society organizations have accused the Serbian government of using illegal weapons, including long-range acoustic devices (LRAD), against peaceful protesters during a commemorative silence for the victims of the Novi Sad railway collapse. These devices, commonly used for crowd control, can cause severe hearing damage.
The Belgrade Center for Security Policy strongly condemned the alleged use of such weapons, stating that it was an "unlawful and inhumane deployment of prohibited weapons against peaceful protesters." However, Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric denied the allegations, calling them "baseless accusations." President Vucic also dismissed the claims as "a vile lie" and promised to investigate the matter.
The protests in Serbia are taking place against a backdrop of simmering tensions in the Balkans, with concerns about the potential for renewed conflict. Some analysts have warned that Russia may seek to exploit these tensions to destabilize the region and undermine Western influence.
The ongoing protests in Serbia represent a critical moment for the country’s future. The outcome of this struggle will have significant implications for Serbia’s democratic trajectory, its relationship with the European Union and Russia, and the overall stability of the Balkans.
A former high-ranking diplomat with expert knowledge of the Balkans suggested that President Trump could shift the U.S. regional posture from appeasing Vucic to containing him. Such a posture in Serbia will show that the U.S. is not kidding in the Balkans and wants a peaceful solution to simmering conflicts while utilizing the "peace through strength" doctrine. This approach would send a clear message that the U.S. is committed to promoting democratic values and holding accountable those who undermine them.
