Serbia is in a double political and social captivity under the government of Aleksandar Vucic and the Serbian Progressive Party, which controls institutions, media and corrupt practices. Student protests over corruption have opened a political opportunity, although the opposition and the student movement must articulate a democratic alternative to correct structural gaps such as corruption and governance.
In Serbia, anti-government protests radicalize with police violence and repression. There were 114 arrests, including an Italian. Vucic accuses protesters of being terrorists and the EU remains silent while Russia supports. The situation polarizes the country. Vucic’s authoritarian evolution is reminiscent of Milosevic.
The Western Balkans, including Bosnia, Serbia, and Kosovo, face internal instability and rivalries between the influence of the EU and Russia. The United States could increase its role under Trump, while the Dayton Peace Agreement is at risk.
