Serbian Student Protests: Fight for Democracy or a Return to Dark Nationalist Days?
If you thought the student protests in Serbia were just peaceful calls for change and democracy, think again! German journalist Michael Martens from Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung poured cold water on those who believed the student movement was pure and democratic. He claims that the protests, especially the one held on June 28th on Vidovdan, have become an arena for glorifying Greater Serbian nationalism, which is dangerous both for the movement itself and for Serbia.
Vidovdan and Dark Rhetoric
Vidovdan, a day with mythical significance for Serbian nationalism, was chosen for the protest, and speakers competed in nationalist slogans. One student’s speech was so hysterical that he shouted about blood, ancestors, and the homeland, even quoting Nikolaj Velimirović, known for his extreme views and admiration of Hitler. Nationalists relativized war crimes and spread clichés reminiscent of the dark 1990s.
Worrying Numbers
Although the number of participants on Vidovdan was smaller than at the March 15 protests, with several thousand people, the protests have not lost strength even six months after they began in November last year. Demonstrators tried to break through police cordons, resulting in arrests and unrest.
Total Blockade and Police Reaction
Students continued blocking streets in several Serbian cities, including Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, and others. Police responded with arrests and warnings, while President Vučić appealed to students to abandon the blockades, claiming the state wants to allow freedom of assembly but cannot tolerate violence.
Divided Public and Internal Struggles
Not every student supported the nationalist tones. Many are repelled by such a direction of the protests, but without clear distancing, the movement may split and weaken. Martens warns that Vučić uses nationalism as his trademark and that the nationalist circus continues while Serbia’s real problems remain unresolved.
Police and Repression
Many demonstrators have been arrested, and there are allegations that special units, such as Marko Kričak’s unit, act as a parallel police force kidnapping and intimidating students and citizens. Opposition MPs condemn such methods and call on honorable police officers to resist pressure.
What Next?
The protests have entered a new phase of civil disobedience, with road blockades and increasing pressure from the authorities. While Vučić claims the autocracy is stable, German media assess that the regime is shaking because students and citizens refuse to be silenced.
Conclusion
Serbian student protests are at a crossroads: will they remain a movement for democracy or be trapped in nationalist clichés that once led Serbia to war? If they do not distance themselves from dark messages, they risk being exploited and losing public support. And Vučić? He is just waiting for nationalism to take over the stage and for him to remain the sole player on the field.
If you have an opinion on this or maybe saw something we missed, drop a comment below. Let the voice of reason or at least a good joke be heard—because if we can’t laugh, what else do we have?
Slug: serbian-student-protests-nationalism-crisis
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