Recent protests in Serbia, notably the general strike, aim to challenge the autocratic regime of President Vucic. However, the protests often lack effective impact as many businesses remain operational. Official demands focus on transparency and university funding, but protesters avoid directly calling for regime change due to socio-political taboos. The discontent reflects a deeper sense of national identity and responsibility.
Author: Dejan Pantic
Why the West should keep ignoring the Serbian protests
German political scientist Alexander Rotert fantasizes about Berlin's imaginary support for Serbia's authoritarian government under Vucic, arguing it prioritizes a lithium project over democratic concerns.
Putin’s war against the reality of planet Earth
The predominant political sentiment in Serbia and its national ambition is the revanchism for the lost wars of the 1990. The belief is that achieving the Greater Serbia can only be done with Russia and China asserting itself over the Collective West. That is why the Serbian people are Russia's most loyal cheerleaders in Europe.
Serbian Odious Party
Aleksandar Vucic and his big-tent coalition have been in power since 2012, and even if they did manage to steer the economy in the right direction (they didn't), maintain the rule of law, and run the government services efficiently (they don't), or even have the capacity to act civilly (out of the question), in most societies that have parliamentary and presidential elections they would have most likely overstay their welcome after twelve years in office. The Serbian government strengthens its support among the electorate by using physical violence, defamation, lies, and whining. But all this doesn't concern his voting base. To them, such behavior is considered assertive and irreverent, a mark of a strong leader who speaks truth to power and cares about traditional values like Family and Nationhood.
Musk is trolling you again
The alt-right movements trolling as an inflammatory tactic to galvanize its own followers is not counterproductive to their cause, because their followers relish in "owning the libs", even if it hurts their own wellbeing, standard of living and chances in life.
Vucic isn’t Assad
A good portion, if not the majority of the Serbian electorate never had a problem with the war crimes committed by the political parties that comprised the government of Slobodan Milošević. In fact, those same crimes are considered as proof of the patriotic virtues espoused by the current Serbian administration, led by Milošević's former minister of information, Aleksandar Vučić.
No, Serbia is not ditching Russian weaponry
Serbia is reportedly shifting its military procurement from Russia to China, driven by sanctions and Western pressure. General Milan Mojsilovic noted delays in Russian contracts, leading to increased use of Chinese weaponry, such as the FK-3 air defense system. Despite claims of neutrality, Serbia remains close with BRICS amid skepticism about its military transparency.
Serbian non-revolution
National Youth Council of Serbia, in its 2024 Alternative report on the position and needs of young people in the Republic of Serbia, finds that 57 percent of young people (aged 15 to 30 years old) in Serbia feel that we need a strong leader. The Serbian student protesters are not the democratic role models you are looking for.
His Royal Awesomeness Elon Musk
Elon Musk's public far-right stunts and provocations are meant to elicit reactions from his detractors. It is a tried and tested tactic of the alt-right dating back to 4chan underbelly of the Internet.
Blood on the fashion runway
The general public in Serbia, especially the people who tend to see themselves as members of upper class, mostly ignore or scoff the plights of the economically less fortunate. The Novi Sad canopy collapse wouldn't cause such a nationwide outrage if the tragedy happened in a mine or a munitions factory.
Serbianism 