Over nine months Serbia experienced more than 23,000 unauthorised rallies, most small but disruptive, halting government functions and recently turning violent. More than 170 police officers were injured. Police actions remained limited and restrained, targeting only those who damaged property or assaulted officers. Initial student demands were met: investigations opened, thousands of documents on the railway station renovation released, education funding increased, and the prime minister resigned taking responsibility for youth clashes. Demonstrations continued and shifted toward overt political aims to remove the government outside democratic processes. Serbia maintains deep engagement with Europe, receives more than 60% of foreign direct investment from the EU, and secured 1.6bn by 2027 to support reforms. Serbia will hold elections before 2027 and is making progress on electoral reforms. Violence disguised as activism undermining institutions is unacceptable.
Over the past nine months, Serbia has experienced more than 23,000 unauthorised rallies. Most were small, sometimes just a few dozen people, but they disturbed daily life, brought government to a halt, and recently turned violent. More than 170 police officers have been injured. Despite this, police actions have remained limited and restrained, and have targeted only those who damaged property or assaulted officers.
The initial demands of student protesters late last year were met promptly. We opened investigations, released thousands of documents on the railway station renovation and boosted education funding, and the prime minister resigned, taking responsibility for youth clashes over the issue. Nevertheless, demonstrations continued, shifting away from seeking justice and toward overt political aims: the removal of the government outside democratic processes.
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