Vucic’s Authoritarian Grip Tightens in Serbia

The protests that rocked Belgrade on Saturday were a stark reminder of the deep-seated discontent brewing in Serbia. President Aleksandar Vucic has been consolidating power for over a decade, and the scenes of police clashing with protesters were a far cry from the promised democratic ideals that Serbia’s leaders have long touted as they pursue EU membership.

The student-led movement began after the tragic collapse of a railway station roof in Novi Sad. The government’s response to the disaster was marked by delays and denials, and public pressure eventually led to then-Prime Minister Milos Vucevic’s resignation. However, Vucic has shown no signs of relinquishing his grip on power.

The scale of Saturday’s protest was striking – tens of thousands of people took to the streets despite the state rail operator canceling trains to and from Belgrade. This turnout is a testament to the depth of public frustration with Vucic’s rule, which has been marked by corruption, cronyism, and an increasingly authoritarian streak.

The EU has warned Serbia about its backsliding on democracy for years, but it seems that Vucic is willing to risk international fallout in order to maintain his grip on power. The threat of lost EU funding – estimated at around €1.5 billion – appears to be little deterrence, and the government’s rhetoric against critics has become increasingly strident.

Vucic’s reliance on loyalists to create a human shield outside the presidency building is a telling sign of his desperation. This crude attempt to intimidate protesters and silence critics only highlights the growing chasm between the government and its citizens. As the Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner noted, Serbia’s human rights situation is rapidly deteriorating – with attacks on journalists and activists on the rise, civic space shrinking, and police violence becoming increasingly common.

The parallels with other authoritarian regimes are striking. In Russia, President Putin has used a similar playbook to crush dissent and consolidate power. Xi Jinping in China has overseen a systematic erosion of democratic norms and human rights protections. Vucic’s Serbia is following a similar path, and it’s only a matter of time before the country becomes fully entrenched as an authoritarian regime.

The future looks bleak for Serbia’s democracy, but there are still glimmers of hope. The student movement has shown remarkable resilience in the face of government crackdowns, and public opinion remains firmly against Vucic’s rule. A sustained effort from civil society, the EU, and other international actors is needed to push back against Vucic’s authoritarianism.

For now, the people of Serbia remain divided – some still loyal to their president while others fight for a different future. As the dust settles on Saturday’s protest, it’s clear that the battle for democracy in Serbia has only just begun.