Serbia’s Student-Led Protests Illuminate a Path Beyond Autocracy

The scene felt almost miraculous, unfolding on Easter weekend.

For days, demonstrators had occupied the headquarters of Radio Television of Serbia, the nation’s public broadcaster in Belgrade, demanding impartial coverage of the prolonged resistance against President Aleksandar Vucic’s increasingly authoritarian governance. When their numbers began to dwindle, students from Novi Pazar—the largest city in Serbia’s predominantly Muslim region—stepped in on Good Friday to take over the protest, as they did not observe Easter and were eager to support their peers.

This act of solidarity was powerful in itself. Yet, the moment grew even more profound when a war veteran, wounded during the 1992 siege of Sarajevo, addressed the crowd. Condemning the broadcaster for aligning with the regime, he greeted the Novi Pazar students with “Salaam aleikum,” a gesture that resonated throughout the square. He reassured their families, saying, “Do not fear for your children. There is no longer ‘us’ and ‘them’—they are all our children now.”

This deeply moving episode symbolized a new era for Serbia—a nation long divided by conflict and ethnic tensions. It illustrated how a courageous, student-driven movement is reshaping the country’s political landscape. Despite formidable obstacles, these protesters are demonstrating that meaningful change remains achievable. Across the Balkans, something remarkable is underway.

Serbia has witnessed significant protest waves before. In 1996, students spearheaded mass rallies against Slobodan Milosevic’s regime, eventually leading to his downfall in 2000. Over Aleksandar Vucic’s 13 years in power, protests have erupted over controversial development projects such as the Belgrade Waterfront, responses to widespread violence, and, more recently, opposition to lithium mining by Rio Tinto.

However, the current movement is the most expansive and deeply rooted yet, penetrating many layers of Serbian society. Its impetus was a tragic event last November, when the roof of Novi Sad’s train station collapsed, claiming 16 lives. The station had just been renovated, and many suspected corruption was to blame. Demonstrations demanding accountability ignited immediately and persisted through the winter, spreading nationwide.

The government sought to quell the unrest. President Vucic orchestrated the resignation of his prime minister, a longtime ally, and released thousands of documents related to the station’s reconstruction. His administration also proposed loans of up to $100,000 to assist young people in purchasing homes. Yet, these measures failed to stem the tide. On March 15, the largest protest to date drew nearly half a million people to Belgrade’s streets, underscoring the movement’s strength and resolve.