Strong student protest in Serbia: Call for system change!

Strong student protest in Serbia: Call for system change!

On July 9, 2025, the University of Bamberg will be dedicated to exchanging ideas about current social issues. Two interesting events will take place on July 16, 2025. First, a panel discussion on the student protests in Serbia will be held at 6 p.m., followed by the “Queer researched” lecture series at 6:15 p.m. Both events are free of charge and are aimed at anyone interested. They are organized by various faculties and the university's student representatives at Markusstrasse 8a.

The panel discussion, moderated by Prof. Dr. Johannes Grotzky, sheds light on the origins and social dimensions of the protests that were initiated in November 2024 against political lack of transparency and corruption in Serbia. These protests are the result of deep dissatisfaction with President Aleksandar Vučić's regime, which is perceived by many as lawless and abusive. The issue has also gained international prominence, evidenced by the extensive protests organized by students and citizens in Serbia.

Student protests in Serbia

The protest movement, which has been forming for months, is characterized by a horizontal structure, without clear leaders; Decisions are made through direct democracy. Students and citizens are demanding more than just a change of power, they are striving for a fundamental change in the system. The royal symbol of protest culture can be the Café Di Trevi on Resavska Street in Belgrade, which serves as a retreat for many demonstrators during the protests. Numerous students have gathered here to express their dissatisfaction against the regime.

A striking event that further inflamed the protest movement was the fatal collapse of the new train station in Novi Sad. This led to massive demonstrations demanding transparency, the rule of law and political responsibility. In their anger at the system, the students have achieved more than the Serbian opposition parties in over a decade.

The protests have also taken on an international dimension, with initiatives such as a bike ride to Strasbourg and a relay race to Brussels aimed at alerting the European Union to the crisis of democracy in Serbia. The EU is perceived by the protesters as unsupportive and the connection with the opposition political parties is fragile. The European Union has also recommended reconsidering its stance on the regime and increasing its commitment to democratic reforms.

Results and future prospects

Current polls show that the opposition is doing better than the ruling parties, but the opposition parties are boycotting parliament. Interior Minister Milos Vučević also resigned after an attack on students in Novi Sad. President Vučić has dismissed the protests as “terror” by an “aggressive minority” and sees them as an uprising of the rich. Another sign of repression is the use of sound weapons against peaceful demonstrators, which has been documented by experts and the protesters themselves.

Serbian society takes the student movement seriously. More and more people are joining the protests as calls for new elections and further political participation become louder. The integrity of the movement and the determination of the students are becoming the decisive force that can put pressure on Aleksandar Vučić's regime.

In this context, the panel discussion on July 16, 2025 in Bamberg is not just an academic debate, but an important contribution to understanding the social and political dynamics currently taking place in Serbia. Information about contacts for inquiries can be found on the University of Bamberg website, and interested parties are cordially invited to take part in these events.

For further information on the student protests in Serbia, please contact: taz as well as that Renner Institute be visited. The University of Bamberg provides information about the events on its website website.