In Pursuit of Development The protest that changed Serbia – Nemanja Džuverović
Nov 5, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Nemanja Džuverović, a Professor of Peace Studies at the University of Belgrade, shares insights on the powerful student-led protests in Serbia following a tragic train-station collapse. He reveals how grief transformed into a movement challenging corruption and democratic decay. The conversation explores Serbia's struggle with 'stabilocracy,' regional democratic trends, and the growing disillusionment with the European project among youth. Džuverović also addresses Serbia's pivot towards China and the complex landscape of political alliances.
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Democracy Eroded Before The Tragedy
- Serbia has experienced democratic backsliding for about a decade, with one party capturing state institutions at all levels.
- The Novi Sad train-station collapse exposed these structural problems and catalyzed nationwide student-led mobilization.
Students Mobilized Nationwide
- Students turned grief into organized action by occupying universities and marching across cities to demand political responsibility.
- The movement spread beyond campuses to teachers, lawyers, and broad civil society, sustaining months of nonviolent protests.
Stability Beats Democracy For Partners
- External actors prioritized regional stability over democratic reforms, a stance labeled 'stabilocracy.'
- This external tolerance helped the ruling party retain international support despite democratic erosion.