70: Serbia Rings in New Year with Mass Protests
When a collapsing canopy causes a regime to collapse
Serbia rang in the new year with protests rather than celebration
This all began two months ago due to a tragic infrastructure failure, the collapse of a concrete canopy at Novi Sad’s central train station on November 1, 2024, killing 15 people. What followed is an unprecedented wave of protests that may reshape the political landscape of the Balkans. As tens of thousands of protesters fill Serbia’s streets, their demands go beyond justice for this preventable tragedy. They are challenging the entrenched systems of authoritarianism, nationalism, and crony capitalism that have defined President Aleksandar Vučić’s regime.
These events hold lessons not only for Serbia but for any nation grappling with democratic backsliding and the global resurgence of authoritarianism. Looking at you North America.
The Politics of Collapse
The canopy’s fall was more than a structural failure, it was a metaphor for Vučić’s rule. Since coming to power, Vučić has centralized authority, marginalized opposition voices, and overseen rampant corruption. Critics have long accused his administration of prioritizing flashy, often poorly constructed infrastructure projects over public accountability. The Novi Sad disaster exposed the human cost of these policies.
Despite indictments against 13 individuals, including a former minister, public anger has not subsided. Demonstrators, led by students, professors, and labor groups, argue that these charges are superficial, designed to shield the highest levels of government from scrutiny. The protests’ scale and persistence suggest that Serbia’s citizens are no longer willing to accept governance rooted in impunity.
Under Vučić, Serbia has steadily slipped into authoritarianism. International watchdogs like Freedom House have downgraded the country’s democratic standing, citing media control, judicial interference, and voter intimidation. Vučić’s government combines pro-European rhetoric with an illiberal playbook, co-opting nationalist sentiment to consolidate power while keeping the EU at arm’s length.
This strategy mirrors trends seen globally, where authoritarian leaders exploit crises to tighten their grip. However, in Serbia, the regime may have underestimated the galvanizing effect of public outrage. The protests have united a fragmented opposition, creating a rare coalition of pro-European activists, leftist labor unions, and disillusioned nationalists, all demanding systemic change.
Nationalism’s Double-Edged Sword
Nationalist rhetoric has been a cornerstone of Vučić’s rule, particularly regarding Serbia’s fraught relationship with Kosovo. Yet, nationalism is no longer an unassailable shield. Protesters are rejecting the narrative that Serbia’s challenges stem solely from external forces or historical grievances. Instead, they are focusing on internal corruption and governance failures.
This shift in perspective is significant. It signals the weakening of a key tool used by illiberal regimes to distract from domestic issues. As Serbia’s youth demand accountability and transparency, they are laying the groundwork for a political culture less beholden to nationalist tropes.
Crony Capitalism and the Infrastructure of Corruption
The Novi Sad tragedy underscores the deep entanglement of politics and business under Vučić’s rule. Infrastructure projects, often financed through opaque deals with Chinese lenders or other foreign actors, have become emblematic of crony capitalism. These projects are touted as evidence of progress, but their execution is marred by substandard practices and nepotism.
The protests reveal growing public awareness of this dynamic. Farmers, actors, and other societal groups have joined students in demanding an end to the systemic corruption that prioritizes profit over public safety. Their unified stance against crony capitalism could become a model for anti-corruption movements across the region.
Serbia’s geopolitical positioning, straddling East and West, makes these protests particularly significant. Vučić’s balancing act between the EU, Russia, and China mirrors a larger trend of small nations navigating the pressures of great-power politics. The outcome of these protests could influence not only Serbia’s trajectory but also the broader regional dynamics of the Balkans.
The protests have created a rare moment of possibility in Serbia. However, the path forward is fraught with challenges. The opposition remains fragmented, and Vučić has a track record of using media control and state resources to suppress dissent. Still, the persistence of these demonstrations suggests that Serbia is at an inflection point.
For those watching from outside, Serbia’s crisis offers a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy and the costs of systemic corruption. It is a story of resistance, resilience, and the enduring demand for accountability.
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