Mass protests in Novi Sad, sparked by the tragic collapse of a canopy that resulted in the loss of 15 lives, remain politically ambiguous, leaving their future uncertain. According to the Forin Polisi portal, students erred in declining to engage with the country’s president, as genuine changes can only emerge through elections.

“These protests are spearheaded by students rather than opposition parties. In mid-November, they obstructed access to their faculty buildings and initiated demonstrations, peaking with around 100,000 participants on the streets,” the portal states.

“Despite four months of protests, the Serbian government has yet to address the public’s frustrations effectively. Resignations from the mayor of Novi Sad and the prime minister have failed to alleviate the protesters’ demands for systemic reform. The students have articulated four fundamental demands for the government to meet, yet none have been addressed to date,” writes Foreign Policy.

Furthermore, authorities struggle to contend with the leaderless students, who organize and make decisions collectively through plenums.

“However, the absence of a leadership structure may ultimately present issues. Although the horizontal organization, reminiscent of the 2011 ‘Occupy’ movement, has favored the students thus far, history indicates that such political formations are more susceptible to internal conflict and typically falter,” the portal notes, criticizing the refusal to negotiate with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić due to a perceived ‘lack of political spirit.’

“While there is theoretical merit to this stance, it is evident that Vučić holds significant power. Advocating constitutionality within a sham democracy featuring weak institutions is a debate club argument that fails to advance the protests’ objectives pragmatically,” the portal states.

“Maintaining a rigid position is justifiable, especially given the potential for negotiations with a dominant figure like Vučić. However, time is limited. The longer the protests persist without resolution, the more challenging it will be for organizers to maintain participation. Disillusionment within the masses will eventually lead to a decline in attendance,” Foreign Policy emphasizes.

It is suggested that the students’ aspirations can only be fulfilled through elections or the assistance of the international community, neither of which appears feasible at present.

“Ultimately, it seems students will have to alter their approach or witness their movement gradually unravel,” concludes Foreign Policy.

“In the meantime, realism appears to be lacking in the streets of Belgrade, with many idealistic protesters convinced that Vučić’s time is running out. However, there is no clear plan for what comes next,” the article notes.

“This outlook sets the stage for disappointment. Following the 2011 Arab Spring, the Muslim Brotherhood filled the political void left by the ousting of Hosni Mubarak, as they were the most organized alternative, rather than the one embodying the revolution’s objectives.”

“Should Serbian students somehow manage to depose Vučić, it might lead to the emergence of an even less liberal leader,” the portal warns, pointing out that many participants come from the nationalist right and that anti-Western and pro-Russian symbols are prevalent in the demonstrations.

“While uncertainties linger regarding who would take charge, Vučić’s party is the only truly organized political entity in Serbia. In a nation where public sentiment strongly favors right-wing perspectives, nationalistic rhetoric often outweighs calls for transparency and independent institutions.”

“As a result, Vučić is likely to endure beyond these protests; despite his unpopularity, many Serbs perceive no viable political alternative.”

“Rather than fantasize about revolution, students should acknowledge that, similar to Milošević, Vučić can only be replaced through the electoral process.

“The real benchmark for their success will be their capacity to cultivate a sustained movement that channels anti-government sentiments until a viable alternative to Vučić arises,” concludes the Forin Polisi article.

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