Slovenian philosopher and academic Slavoj Žižek criticizes the European Union for its silence and hypocrisy regarding the mass protests by students and citizens in Serbia, who are advocating for an end to violence and urging government institutions to prioritize the interests of the people.

In an analysis published on the international portal “Project Syndicate,” Žižek argues that “Serbs are seeking the rule of law devoid of unwritten codes that facilitate corruption and authoritarianism.”

He highlights the uniqueness of the non-violent protests in Serbia, where demonstrators assert: “We have no political demands, we steer clear of opposition parties, and we demand that government institutions serve the citizens.”

According to Žižek, the protesters aim to disrupt the processes enabling the ruling party to maintain control over the state via its influence over various institutions.

He comments that Serbian students and citizens dismiss both dialogue with the authorities and violence, noting their lack of leadership, which may represent a new form of political activism.

Žižek predicts that “eventually, organized politics will need to intervene.” However, he concludes that the current apolitical position of the protesters “paves the way for a new political landscape, rather than merely an iteration of the old system. For genuine law and order to emerge, the existing dynamics must be dismantled.”

He emphasizes that “this is a sufficient reason for the rest of the world to support the protests unreservedly.”

Žižek contends that “merely calling for law and order can yield a more transformative impact than violent upheaval. Serbs desire a system of law without the clandestine agreements that enable corruption and tyranny.”

He asserts that “the European Union stands as the greatest hypocrite in this narrative, avoiding pressure on Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić lest he turn towards Russia.”

He points out that while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen voiced support for the Georgian fight for democracy, she has notably ignored the protests in Serbia—a nation that has held official EU candidate status since 2012.

As Žižek adds, “the EU permits Vučić to operate unopposed because he guaranteed stability and lithium exports, crucial for electric vehicles.”

He notes the absence of EU flags during the protests in Serbia and posits that “the idea of a color revolution akin to that in Ukraine two decades ago—aimed at joining the democratic West—no longer holds any credibility, as the EU has reached a new political low.”

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