S5E12. The rise of a new political generation in Serbia
Mass students' protests against the regime's corruption, following the tragedy of the collapse of Novi Sad's railway station canopy, are making a significant impact. Interview with Srđan Majstorović
Dear reader,
welcome back to BarBalkans, the newsletter with blurred boundaries.
For two months now, tens of thousands of students in Serbia have been taking to the streets across the country—particularly in Belgrade—to fight for their future and for the democratic rights of all Serbian citizens.
The protests began after the collapse of Novi Sad’s railway station canopy on 1 November 2024, which caused the death of 15 people. This tragic event triggered a nationwide wave of mass anti-corruption demonstrations demanding accountability.
After students were attacked in Belgrade during a silent tribute to the victims (15 minutes of complete silence are observed at every protest), blockades of educational institutions began on 22 November at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts, with other faculties and high schools soon following suit.
Now, two months later, the anti-government protests show no signs of slowing down, despite attempted crackdowns by the authorities through violence and intimidation.
This is why BarBalkans is pleased to welcome today Srđan Majstorović, Chairman of the Board of the European Policy Centre (CEP) in Belgrade and a member of the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group (BiEPAG).
Together with Majstorović, we will explore what makes these protests so different from those of the past, outline the demands that are backing the Belgrade regime into a corner, examine the role of the European Union, and discuss the potential outcomes of this powerful movement.
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Something is changing
Why did the collapse of a railway station canopy spark such a massive protest in Serbia?
“It is very simple: because widespread corruption started to kill. This tragic event sparked outrage among young people, who have now awakened. This is a new generation that has never participated in political life in the numbers we see now.
This is a crucial moment for Serbia, marking a change of political generation. The one that is currently in power is the same that governed in the 1990s during the breakup of the former Yugoslavia, the horrific wars, and the still-unfinished economic and social transition.
These young people are free from that experience. They are better connected and more aware of what is happening in Europe, the US, and the wider world.
They have a way out—if they want to leave, they can—but they have chosen to stay and fight to make Serbia a better place for their future. They have recognised the importance of a single fundamental principle of democracy: that we should all be equal before the law.
They stand for the rule of law, regardless of political party membership or affiliation and they demand those responsible for the deaths of 15 people must be held accountable.”
What are their demands?
“What is particularly smart about this young generation is their ability to avoid the trap of ideologising the issue, ensuring they steer clear of toxic and divisive political topics.
Their demands are precise, straightforward, and simple, making it extremely difficult for the government to comply. The students’ demands centre on fundamental democratic principles.
First, they are calling for full transparency in public projects by demanding the publication of the complete documentation for the refurbishment of Novi Sad train station. This would allow for full access to all related documents, ensuring the government cannot conceal anything from the public.
Secondly, the withdrawal of charges against demonstrators who were arrested during the first anti-government protests in November. Many protesters faced mistreatment and were wrongfully accused of crimes they did not commit.
Students are also calling for criminal charges to be brought against those who attacked them during protests outside the Faculty of Arts, later proven to be affiliated with the ruling party. These people are asked to resign from their public positions, a necessary step towards breaking the vicious cycle of state capture by a single party that dominates all institutions.
Finally, student unions are demanding an increase in state funding for Serbian universities, which have been suffering from underfunding for years.”
Read also: S4E15. The feminist fight of Serbian Gen Z
Are these protests having an impact on Serbian society?
“Slowly but surely, the student protests are having a profound impact. People are beginning to feel liberated from fear and more confident in expressing criticism of the government.
This is a delicate but significant development in a society dominated by the ruling party, where 99% of the media is under government control. In such an environment, this newfound sense of self-liberation is profoundly important.
It represents a new dynamic introduced by the students, who are amplifying the protests’ impact across the country.”
The prospect of a new future for Serbia
In 2023, large protests sparked in Serbia following two mass shootings, yet they failed to bring political change. Do you anticipate current protests will have a different outcome?
“These current protests are fundamentally different, as the primary drivers of societal mobilisation have changed.
In 2023, protesters were largely from the generation that experienced the Milosević era, and the fresh impetus from students that we are seeing now was missing.
Whether these protests will have the strength to bring about political change depends on how determined the students are to sustain this momentum and maintain pressure.
They should remain the principal driving force, while the older generations must be there to support them—helping to articulate their demands and proposals. Support by professors, artists, advocates and other professions are also much more explicit than before.
Another big difference concerns the number of small cities where people are protesting against the government for the first time in decades.
This regime is facing a resolute group of young people, and its panicked response clearly demonstrates that it does not know how to react to this surge of bright ideas and fresh energy. I am more optimistic now than I was just a couple of months ago.
If we succeed together, Serbia could be a very different place within a few years. It could return to a full respect for the rule of law, re-establish a clear separation of powers, reset its judiciary, and become a trustworthy partner for Europe. Serbia could join Montenegro and Albania as a frontrunner in the EU accession process, and even resolve the long-standing issue with Kosovo.
If we manage to achieve this, Serbia could emerge as a true leader in the region, fostering positive development in neighbouring countries, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
Do you think all this can be achieved with President Vučić still in power?
“I think a change is necessary. Aleksandar Vučić has been in uninterrupted power for 13 years, and he looks tired. It is time for him to consider his future outside of politics for the sake of his country and society.
Majority of citizens considers him incapable of changing and going against his party’s interest.
The change, of course, is not going to happen tomorrow or even within a month. It will require a process of articulation of sustainable policy proposals, inter-societal negotiations, and perhaps foreign facilitation to help get out this crisis.”
The last call for the EU
Unlike the mass protests in Georgia, no EU flags are visible in Belgrade. Why?
“This is another smart decision made by the students. They avoided falling into the trap of divisiveness. Unfortunately, EU membership is one of those issues in Serbia.
Not all of the students are necessarily pro-EU or fully understand what EU membership would mean for them. This hesitation stems from over a decade of toxic media portrayal of the EU by the ruling party.
The students wisely chose not to wave any flag with political meanings, apart from the Serbian flag, as they are fighting for respect for the rule of law in their own country.”
What is the current sentiment towards the EU in Serbia?
“The sentiment towards the EU is burdened by biased media reports, especially from outlets aligned with the government.
On 21 January, we marked the 11th anniversary of the start of EU accession negotiations. Yet in these 11 years, from being a consolidated democracy, Serbia has become a hybrid regime.
Over the past 13 years, this government has done nothing to improve the perception of the EU enlargement process or the integration requirements.
Public sentiment towards the EU—currently below 50% support—is the product of a systematic, artificial media campaign orchestrated and promoted by the government.
No one is asking the EU to interfere in this process. What we are asking for—and what would benefit the EU itself—is for Brussels to call things by their proper names.
When media freedom and freedom of expression are under attack, when civil society activists are targeted, when environmental activists are harassed, and when minorities or gender rights activists are oppressed, the EU should speak up and clearly state that such actions are unacceptable.
By failing to react and turning a blind eye, the EU is enabling the regime to avoid accountability. This allows the government to claim that Serbia is making slow progress towards EU accession.
But how can Serbia be expected to adopt the EU acquis if it does not even respect its own constitution and legislation?
The principles of the rule of law is the very essence of the accession process. If the EU remains silent, it risks losing its last threads of credibility as a guarantor of modernisation and Europeanisation in Serbia.”
Pit stop. Sittin’ at the BarBalkans
We have reached the end of this piece of the road.
Today at our bar, the BarBalkans, we try orahovača, a distilled spirit particularly popular in Serbia, made from walnuts.
Orahovača belongs to the rakija family, a category of spirits crafted through the fermentation and distillation of fruits or naturally infused with flavourings.
Let’s continue BarBalkans journey. We will meet again in two weeks, for the 13th stop of this season.
A big hug and have a good journey!
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