Serbia has been experiencing unprecedented protests for the past four months. The protests began after a roof collapse at a train station in Novi Sad resulted in the death of 15 people and injury of two on November 1. Despite government efforts to suppress the demonstrations, they have only grown in strength. Universities have been occupied and large demonstrations and strikes have taken place across the country. While some foreign observers have ignored or downplayed the protests as merely “anti-corruption” movements, Russia and China have supported President Aleksandar Vučić and his ruling party, while the US and EU have remained silent.
The protests in Novi Sad started with residents and students holding 15-minute road blockades to honor the lives lost in the tragedy. This form of protest spread throughout the country, with over 200 cities participating. Students have occupied universities, leading to the suspension of academic activities. They have also taken their protests to the streets, demanding transparency, accountability, and increased funding for higher education.
The student-led protests have challenged the traditional university and political structures in Serbia. They have established self-governing assemblies and working groups to address various issues. The students have distanced themselves from political parties and civil society organizations, creating a new political space outside the established system. Their demands have received widespread public support, with around 80% of Serbian citizens backing them.
Unlike opposition parties proposing interim governments, the students are calling for systemic change and democratization from the bottom up. Other sectors, including teachers, lawyers, and cultural workers, have joined the protests with their own demands. This grassroots movement is redefining democracy in Serbia, offering an alternative to the current political establishment and paving the way for a new future beyond capitalist realism. The students’ actions have inspired other social actors to engage in similar forms of self-governance and resistance, signaling a shift towards a more participatory and inclusive democracy in the country.