Petra Dvořáková: Serbian protests: There is no turning back. However, mobilization alone is not enough

Friday, Mar 21, 2025

Serbian protests against Vučić show growing civil society strength, despite state repression and EU pragmatism.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

Serbian society has made significant progress over the last four months, with no apparent turning back. The article describes massive anti-government demonstrations in Belgrade, particularly involving students who have traveled from distant cities like Niš. These protests are directed against the autocratic tendencies of President Aleksandar Vučić and his government, which critics blame for corruption. Despite attempts by authorities to suppress dissent through measures such as disrupting public transport and using force—including reports of sonic weapons being used against demonstrators—the protests continue to grow in size and organization. While some state employees have shown support for the movement, others face repercussions, like job loss. The author notes that while there is strong popular will for change, a lack of established political parties capable of taking power remains a challenge. Experts suggest that the current momentum from grassroots movements could lead to new faces in politics and that Vučić’s reign may be nearing its end due to ongoing crises.


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