“EU Funds Are Fueling Repression in Serbia”: European Parliament meets with Serbian Opposition

During its fact-finding visit to Serbia, a delegation of the European Parliament met with representatives of the Serbian opposition. Following the meeting, Mašina spoke with three opposition members of parliament, who said the talks focused on election integrity, the misuse of EU accession funds, and what – if anything – can be expected to change in the EU’s relations with the Serbian government.

During its fact-finding visit to Serbia, a delegation of the European Parliament met with representatives of the Serbian opposition. Following the meeting, Mašina spoke with three opposition members of parliament, who said the talks focused on election integrity, the misuse of EU accession funds, and what – if anything – can be expected to change in the EU’s relations with the Serbian government.

Donald Trump

(Un)Happy Anniversary, or: Is It Time to Stop Blaming Trump?

Attributing every problem in the United States to Donald Trump is incorrect. Not because he’s innocent – he clearly isn’t – but because focusing on him alone is a way of avoiding a much harder truth.

Attributing every problem in the United States to Donald Trump is incorrect. Not because he’s innocent – he clearly isn’t – but because focusing on him alone is a way of avoiding a much harder truth.

Dario Azelini

“The US Is a Dying Empire”: Political Scientist Dario Azzellini on the Attack on Venezuela

According to political scientist Dario Azzellini, the US attack on Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro do not merely constitute a violation of international law, but its complete collapse. In an interview with Mašina, Azzellini explains why he sees this event as a symptom of a “dying empire,” and at the same time as a prelude to a new, dangerous phase of global conflict.

According to political scientist Dario Azzellini, the US attack on Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro do not merely constitute a violation of international law, but its complete collapse. In an interview with Mašina, Azzellini explains why he sees this event as a symptom of a “dying empire,” and at the same time as a prelude to a new, dangerous phase of global conflict.

“Declare Victory”: Students to Canvass 89 Cities for Parliamentary Elections

On December 28, from north to south and east to west, student booths will be set up across the country in order to collect signatures in support of the students’ call for snap parliamentary elections. Students note that their goal goes beyond signature collection and extends to building connections with the broader population.

On December 28, from north to south and east to west, student booths will be set up across the country in order to collect signatures in support of the students’ call for snap parliamentary elections. Students note that their goal goes beyond signature collection and extends to building connections with the broader population.

First Trump Tower Hotel in Europe Defeated by Grassroots Movement

Jared Kushner’s proposed “Trump Tower” will not be built on the site of the former Yugoslav Army headquarters, known as the General Staff complex, The Wall Street Journal reported on December 15. People in Serbia are celebrating while the country’s president has threatened criminal charges against all those who took part in the destruction of this “investment opportunity.” Mašina spoke to architects and activists, who emphasized that it was public pressure that led to this result and commented on what the next steps should be for the cultural heritage site.

Jared Kushner’s proposed “Trump Tower” will not be built on the site of the former Yugoslav Army headquarters, known as the General Staff complex, The Wall Street Journal reported on December 15. People in Serbia are celebrating while the country’s president has threatened criminal charges against all those who took part in the destruction of this “investment opportunity.” Mašina spoke to architects and activists, who emphasized that it was public pressure that led to this result and commented on what the next steps should be for the cultural heritage site.

Online platform Learnship withholds pay from a thousand teachers

Learnship, a German corporate language-training provider based in Cologne is refusing to pay October and November wages amounting to over €500,000 for approximately 1,000 teachers. What’s more, employees say that the company is also failing to communicate with teachers about the situation, going as far as shutting down communication channels. The flagrant violation of labor rights has motivated employees to collectively organize, with some seeking out and joining unions.

Learnship, a German corporate language-training provider based in Cologne is refusing to pay October and November wages amounting to over €500,000 for approximately 1,000 teachers. What’s more, employees say that the company is also failing to communicate with teachers about the situation, going as far as shutting down communication channels. The flagrant violation of labor rights has motivated employees to collectively organize, with some seeking out and joining unions.

Fiume o morte

Fascism and Resistance: What We Can Learn from the Croatian Oscar Nominee 

“Rijeka is a Croatian city, as well." This is how Igor Bezinović, director of "Fiume o Morte!" describes an important message of his film, which is this year’s Croatian candidate for the Oscars and has already been awarded the main prize in Rotterdam. 

“Rijeka is a Croatian city, as well.” This is how Igor Bezinović, director of “Fiume o Morte!” describes an important message of his film, which is this year’s Croatian candidate for the Oscars and has already been awarded the main prize in Rotterdam. 

Serbian diaspora rallies worldwide to mark November 1 anniversary

To mark the anniversary of the collapse of the canopy at the Novi Sad Railway Station, commemorative gatherings will be held this weekend in more than 50 cities around the world, organized by Serbian citizens living abroad. The November 1 gatherings will take place in about 15 cities across the United States, several in Australia, and multiple cities in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, and other European countries.

To mark the anniversary of the collapse of the canopy at the Novi Sad Railway Station, commemorative gatherings will be held this weekend in more than 50 cities around the world, organized by Serbian citizens living abroad. The November 1 gatherings will take place in about 15 cities across the United States, several in Australia, and multiple cities in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, and other European countries.

Blockade of the court building in Novi Sad

Finally Free: Mašina Speaks with Released Activists

Six and a half months. That’s how long members of the Novi Sad branch of the Movement of Free Citizens (PSG), Marija Vasić and Lado Jovović, along with STAV activist Lazar Dinić, spent in detention, both in jail and under house arrest. For almost two months, Dimitrije Dimić, a student in Niš, wore an ankle monitor. All of them are facing charges of organizing the violent overthrow of the constitutional order. But for the foreseeable future, they will (hopefully) be able to freely prove their innocence. Jovović, Dinić, and Dimić spoke to Mašina about the past months and their reactions to the courts’ decision to lift the previous restrictions.

Six and a half months. That’s how long members of the Novi Sad branch of the Movement of Free Citizens (PSG), Marija Vasić and Lado Jovović, along with STAV activist Lazar Dinić, spent in detention, both in jail and under house arrest. For almost two months, Dimitrije Dimić, a student in Niš, wore an ankle monitor. All of them are facing charges of organizing the violent overthrow of the constitutional order. But for the foreseeable future, they will (hopefully) be able to freely prove their innocence. Jovović, Dinić, and Dimić spoke to Mašina about the past months and their reactions to the courts’ decision to lift the previous restrictions.

House Arrest Lifted for Three of Six Novi Sad Activists

Activists from the Free Citizens’ Movement (PSG) and the STAV organization, Lazar Dinić, Marija Vasić, and Lado Jovović, were released today from house arrest. They had spent more than four months confined to their homes following two and a half months in jail. A decision is still pending for the other three activists involved in the same case, which began in March 2025, when authorities imprisoned them over an alleged coup plot based on an illegally obtained audio recording.

Activists from the Free Citizens’ Movement (PSG) and the STAV organization, Lazar Dinić, Marija Vasić, and Lado Jovović, were released today from house arrest. They had spent more than four months confined to their homes following two and a half months in jail. A decision is still pending for the other three activists involved in the same case, which began in March 2025, when authorities imprisoned them over an alleged coup plot based on an illegally obtained audio recording.

Von der Leyen Faces Pressure Over Serbia Visit

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet with Serbian President Vučić and Prime Minister Macut tomorrow during her visit to the Western Balkans. European political parties, media rights organizations, and Serbian citizens have called on von der Leyen to take a stand in support of those protesting against the government’s corruption and repression. Von der Leyen is visiting Serbia as part of her tour of the Western Balkans, which also includes Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet with Serbian President Vučić and Prime Minister Macut tomorrow during her visit to the Western Balkans. European political parties, media rights organizations, and Serbian citizens have called on von der Leyen to take a stand in support of those protesting against the government’s corruption and repression. Von der Leyen is visiting Serbia as part of her tour of the Western Balkans, which also includes Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo.

One Year Since Everything Changed: November 1 in Novi Sad

November 1 marks one year since the recently renovated railway canopy collapsed in Novi Sad, killing 16 people. The city is expected to host a large protest, and the atmosphere is one of anxious anticipation. Thousands of students will march from Belgrade to Novi Sad, receiving a grandiose welcome, as has happened countless times before. Will this protest mark a new beginning for the student movement?

November 1 marks one year since the recently renovated railway canopy collapsed in Novi Sad, killing 16 people. The city is expected to host a large protest, and the atmosphere is one of anxious anticipation. Thousands of students will march from Belgrade to Novi Sad, receiving a grandiose welcome, as has happened countless times before. Will this protest mark a new beginning for the student movement?

The light we cannot lose

On this World News Day, for too many people, the future is getting too dark to see. This moment is best described as living in a state of perpetual flux, of global uncertainty and deep, unsettling insecurity.

On this World News Day, for too many people, the future is getting too dark to see. This moment is best described as living in a state of perpetual flux, of global uncertainty and deep, unsettling insecurity.

Detained Serbian Student Ends Hunger Strike After 12 Days

Bogdan Jovičić, a student at the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad, had been on a hunger strike for 12 days and is currently in the Special Prison Hospital in Belgrade. He is reportedly in stable condition, according to the Administration for the Implementation of Criminal Sanctions. Serbian President Vučić referred to Jovičić as a “hooligan” and claimed to not know that the student had been shackled while attending his father’s funeral, as seen in a viral photograph.

Bogdan Jovičić, a student at the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad, had been on a hunger strike for 12 days and is currently in the Special Prison Hospital in Belgrade. He is reportedly in stable condition, according to the Administration for the Implementation of Criminal Sanctions. Serbian President Vučić referred to Jovičić as a “hooligan” and claimed to not know that the student had been shackled while attending his father’s funeral, as seen in a viral photograph.

military ships

Show of Force: Government Holds Military Parade in Belgrade

Amid the ongoing social crisis in Serbia, which has lasted for over ten months, the Vučić government has decided to hold the largest military parade in the country’s history. According to retired military officer Petar Bošković, who spoke with Mašina, despite the enormous amount of resources spent on this parade, it would be incorrect to assume that it will be the best ever.

Amid the ongoing social crisis in Serbia, which has lasted for over ten months, the Vučić government has decided to hold the largest military parade in the country’s history. According to retired military officer Petar Bošković, who spoke with Mašina, despite the enormous amount of resources spent on this parade, it would be incorrect to assume that it will be the best ever.

Psychological warfare in Serbia: Nearly 1,000 detained without convictions

The grassroots initiative “Release them ALL!” has published a database showing that since November 1, 2024, over 900 people have been detained. On the other hand, the number of criminal convictions is negligible. Mašina spoke with Lawyers Rodoljub Šabić and Ivan Ninić on this phenomenon. The vast majority of these arrests are resolved within 48 hours, often without indictments being filed – which the initiative believes serves as a way to exhaust and intimidate protestors. The full database is available at this link.

The grassroots initiative “Release them ALL!” has published a database showing that since November 1, 2024, over 900 people have been detained. On the other hand, the number of criminal convictions is negligible. Mašina spoke with Lawyers Rodoljub Šabić and Ivan Ninić on this phenomenon. The vast majority of these arrests are resolved within 48 hours, often without indictments being filed – which the initiative believes serves as a way to exhaust and intimidate protestors. The full database is available at this link.

Clashes in Novi Sad

Students’ Analysis Finds Police Used More Dangerous Gas Against Protestors

An independent laboratory analysis conducted by students of the Faculty of Sciences (PMF) in Novi Sad shows that at a protest on September 5, police officers deployed chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile, known as CN gas. CN gas is a more dangerous variant than the usual tear gas, chloroacetophenone which is known as CS gas.

An independent laboratory analysis conducted by students of the Faculty of Sciences (PMF) in Novi Sad shows that at a protest on September 5, police officers deployed chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile, known as CN gas. CN gas is a more dangerous variant than the usual tear gas, chloroacetophenone which is known as CS gas.

John K. Cox

Protests, Polarization, and Academia: A Conversation with Professor John K. Cox on the Political Unrests in the US and Serbia

In this interview, historian and translator Professor John K. Cox, a professor at North Dakota State University, shares his insights on the current political landscape in the U.S. and its parallels with recent events in Serbia.

In this interview, historian and translator Professor John K. Cox, a professor at North Dakota State University, shares his insights on the current political landscape in the U.S. and its parallels with recent events in Serbia.

Police Crackdown in Novi Sad and the Death of University Autonomy

Once again, tear gas, arrests, and beatings characterized Friday's protest in Novi Sad. Under the slogan “Serbia, can you hear us?" protesters marched to the Faculty of Philosophy, where police had been stationed for ten days but have since dispersed. Approximately 20,000 people attended the protest, according to the Archive of Public Gatherings, at which hundreds of people endured beatings, tear gas, and were arrested.

Once again, tear gas, arrests, and beatings characterized Friday’s protest in Novi Sad. Under the slogan “Serbia, can you hear us?” protesters marched to the Faculty of Philosophy, where police had been stationed for ten days but have since dispersed. Approximately 20,000 people attended the protest, according to the Archive of Public Gatherings, which has catalyzed a new wave of protests including one today called by students today in downtown Belgrade.

Foto: studenti u blokadi

Between Protest and the Polls: Serbian Youth Demand Change

Almost 90 percent of young people in Serbia support student protests and university blockades, and more than 90 percent would vote in parliamentary elections if they were held next week, according to the Alternative Report on the Position and Needs of Youth 2025. However, 62 percent believe that elections are neither free nor fair, while as many as 95 percent negatively assess the government’s response to student demonstrations.

Almost 90 percent of young people in Serbia support student protests and university blockades, and more than 90 percent would vote in parliamentary elections if they were held next week, according to the Alternative Report on the Position and Needs of Youth 2025. However, 62 percent believe that elections are neither free nor fair, while as many as 95 percent negatively assess the government’s response to student demonstrations.

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