Protest in Belgrade

The road to elections and who’s on it: What’s the status of citizens’ rebellion after eight months of action?

The government’s tactic of pretending not to notice civil rebellion and a comprehensive social and political crisis, i.e. to play the waiting game over a long period of time has, at least it appears so, started to work. Summer’s begun, the intensity of protests has gone down, the students are slowly returning to their academic duties. Despite everything though, small fires of resistance are continuing to ignite, mostly on the local level. What remains is the question of how to continue, that is, how to fulfill the main demand put before the regime – the calling of snap parliamentary elections?

The government’s tactic of pretending not to notice civil rebellion and a comprehensive social and political crisis, i.e. to play the waiting game over a long period of time has, at least it appears so, started to work. Summer’s begun, the intensity of protests has gone down, the students are slowly returning to their academic duties. Despite everything though, small fires of resistance are continuing to ignite, mostly on the local level. What remains is the question of how to continue, that is, how to fulfill the main demand put before the regime – the calling of snap parliamentary elections?

Another symbol of Belgrade is being targeted – the students aren’t giving up on Sajam

Despite the administration denying it, the destruction of the Belgrade fair complex has unofficially begun. Students have called on citizens to gather in front of Sajam on 17th of July, so they could, as they state, stop “the destruction of another symbol of our city.” During the action, police detained one student and two citizens.

Despite the administration denying it, the destruction of the Belgrade fair complex has unofficially begun. Students have called on citizens to gather in front of Sajam on 17th of July, so they could, as they state, stop “the destruction of another symbol of our city.” During the action, police detained one student and two citizens.

Classes start but resistance persists

Classes are formally starting, quotas have been approved, and entrance exams set. In some places, online classes are being met with boycotts while university students are met with repression. Still, the fight for autonomy of universities and a just society is not stopping with the instatement of online classes – it’s just transforming.

Classes are formally starting, quotas have been approved, and entrance exams set. In some places, online classes are being met with boycotts while university students are met with repression. Still, the fight for autonomy of universities and a just society is not stopping with the instatement of online classes – it’s just transforming.

More Baseless Arrests: Escalating Repression Breeds Fiercer Resistance in Serbia

30 days of detention have been ordered for nine residents of the western city of Užice following protests during which citizens broke through the police cordon. Ahead of the St. Vitus protest on June 28, police detained eight other individuals and accused them of planning to potentially "undermining the constitutional order" – in other words, terrorism. Seven of them received the same sentence as those from Užice. In total, 16 people are currently behind bars, three of whom are students. Through this move, the Serbian government demonstrated its intent to again apply the methods it used in Novi Sad, where six activists were detained on similar charges in March 2025. However, as it turns out, the public’s response to such heightened repression and oppression is heightened resistance.

30 days of detention have been ordered for nine residents of the western city of Užice following protests during which citizens broke through the police cordon. Ahead of the St. Vitus protest on June 28, police detained eight other individuals and accused them of planning to potentially “undermining the constitutional order” – in other words, terrorism. Seven of them received the same sentence as those from Užice. In total, 16 people are currently behind bars, three of whom are students. Through this move, the Serbian government demonstrated its intent to again apply the methods it used in Novi Sad, where six activists were detained on similar charges in March 2025. However, as it turns out, the public’s response to such heightened repression and oppression is heightened resistance.

Is this freedom: After everything, where are protesters finding the energy to keep going?

“No one is tired!” can be heard, almost by default, at every protest, blockade or organized action of civil disobedience across Serbia. Citizens, fueled by the student movement’s energy, use this slogan to make it clear to the current regime that no extreme heat, increased repression or eight months of relentless struggle will stop them. The question that remains is – how?

“No one is tired!” can be heard, almost by default, at every protest, blockade or organized action of civil disobedience across Serbia. Citizens, fueled by the student movement’s energy, use this slogan to make it clear to the current regime that no extreme heat, increased repression or eight months of relentless struggle will stop them. The question that remains is – how?

Nationwide Street Blockades Grow Despite Mass Arrests and Police Repression

For a week, street blockades and other acts of civil disobedience have broken out throughout Serbia. In Belgrade, Niš, Novi Sad, and other cities, citizens have been blocking intersections and major roads to demand that the government hold snap parliamentary elections. In response, the police have been beating and arresting students and citizens alike – further fueling outrage and raising the stakes of a movement that shows no signs of backing down.

For a week, street blockades and other acts of civil disobedience have broken out throughout Serbia. In Belgrade, Niš, Novi Sad, and other cities, citizens have been blocking intersections and major roads to demand that the government hold snap parliamentary elections. In response, the police have been beating and arresting students and citizens alike – further fueling outrage and raising the stakes of a movement that shows no signs of backing down.

Belgrade’s Mass Protest and the Clashes that Followed: A Recap of Events

The student protest on St. Vitus Day, a significant national and religious holiday in Serbia, was held on Saturday in Belgrade. 140,000 people joined while supporters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party gathered in their counter protest in Pionirski Park. Here's a breakdown of what followed.

The student protest on St. Vitus Day, a significant national and religious holiday in Serbia, was held on Saturday in Belgrade. 140,000 people joined while supporters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party gathered in their counter protest in Pionirski Park. Here’s a breakdown of what followed.

Neoliberalism as a Colonial Strategy in Palestine: A Conversation with Toufic Haddad

Mašina spoke with Palestinian writer Toufic Haddad ahead of his appearance at Palestine Day in Belgrade, which will take place on Sunday, June 22, at the Liberated Student Cultural Center (SKC) from 2 PM to 10 PM.

Mašina spoke with Palestinian writer Toufic Haddad ahead of his appearance at Palestine Day in Belgrade, which will take place on Sunday, June 22, at the Liberated Student Cultural Center (SKC) from 2 PM to 10 PM.

Students blockading their universities today filed a criminal complaint against the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, for what they describe as an unauthorized visit to an intensive care unit on March 17, when he visited North Macedonian citizens who were severely burned and injured in a fire in the city of Kočani.

Students in Blockade File a Criminal Complaint Against President of Serbia

Students blockading their universities yesterday filed a criminal complaint against the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, for what they describe as an unauthorized visit to an intensive care unit on March 17, when he visited North Macedonian citizens who were severely burned and injured in a fire in the city of Kočani.

Students blockading their universities yesterday filed a criminal complaint against the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, for what they describe as an unauthorized visit to an intensive care unit on March 17, when he visited North Macedonian citizens who were severely burned and injured in a fire in the city of Kočani.

Protest in Belgrade

Two Gatherings in Belgrade on Vidovdan: A Choice Between Empires

On Vidovdan, June 28, two gatherings will be held in Belgrade. Students blockading universities have announced a protest, as has the Minister for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue. At the latter’s gathering, the “Movement for the People and the State” will be formally unveiled.

On Vidovdan, June 28, two gatherings will be held in Belgrade. Students blockading universities have announced a protest, as has the Minister for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue. At the latter’s gathering, the “Movement for the People and the State” will be formally unveiled.

Government Influence and Academic Resistance in Serbia

As the government seeks to strike a deal with the University of Belgrade’s administration in order to break the student uprising, professors and teaching staff have mobilized to keep higher education a public good. But as resistance intensifies, so too does repression.

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University vs. government: for the first time, no new students enrolled during peacetime

In a video published by students blockading universities, the Rector of the University of Belgrade and other professors stated that, for the first time in 200 years, a decision has not yet been made regarding the enrollment of a new generation of students.

In a video published by students blockading universities, the Rector of the University of Belgrade and other professors stated that, for the first time in 200 years, a decision has not yet been made regarding the enrollment of a new generation of students.

Rio Tinto’s “Jadar” Mine in Western Serbia Placed on EU Strategic Projects List

The European Commission has designated Rio Tinto’s proposed lithium mine in Serbia’s Jadar Valley as strategically important for the European Union—a move that will spur various forms of support for the project’s implementation.

The European Commission has designated Rio Tinto’s proposed lithium mine in Serbia’s Jadar Valley as strategically important for the European Union—a move that will spur various forms of support for the project’s implementation.

Blockade of the court building in Novi Sad

Court of Appeals Extends Detention for Three Activists – Who is Pressuring the Judiciary and Why?

The Higher Court in Novi Sad has again extended the detention of activists Davor Stefanović, Mladen Cvijetić, and Srđan Đurić by another 30 days, after they have already spent two full months in prison. Davor Stefanović was beaten in prison and has a broken nose, according to reports.

The Higher Court in Novi Sad has again extended the detention of activists Davor Stefanović, Mladen Cvijetić, and Srđan Đurić by another 30 days, after they have already spent two full months in prison. Davor Stefanović was beaten in prison and has a broken nose, according to reports.

Court in Novi Sad Still Blockaded, Marija Vasić in Prison Hospital on IV Fluids

Today, the defense’s appeal to free the six imprisoned activists was officially accepted by the court and will now be considered. Organizers gave court employees unimpeded access to enter the building until 11 a.m. to perform their duties, but employees were ordered by superiors to exit the building by 10:30 a.m.

Today, the defense’s appeal to free the six imprisoned activists was officially accepted by the court and will now be considered. Organizers gave court employees unimpeded access to enter the building until 11 a.m. to perform their duties, but employees were ordered by superiors to exit the building by 10:30 a.m.

Students Continue Blockade of Public Broadcaster Despite Police Intervention

Students and citizens spent the last two nights blockading the public broadcaster, Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), in downtown Belgrade. Since April 14, students had blockaded several broadcasting centers in Belgrade and Novi Sad to call for a new bid by the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) or for RTS to be shut down due to its inaccurate reporting on the current uprising in Serbia.

Students and citizens spent the last two nights blockading the public broadcaster, Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), in downtown Belgrade. Since April 14, students had blockaded several broadcasting centers in Belgrade and Novi Sad to call for a new bid by the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) or for RTS to be shut down due to its inaccurate reporting on the current uprising in Serbia.

A Curtain, Not a Leader: Serbia’s Incoming Prime Minister and the Crumbling Regime Behind Him

The proposed new Prime Minister of Serbia is Dr. Đuro Macut. Although there are those who have faith in the professional qualifications of the well-known endocrinologist, few truly believe that the future prime minister will be able to independently lead the government.

The proposed new Prime Minister of Serbia is Dr. Đuro Macut. Although there are those who have faith in the professional qualifications of the well-known endocrinologist, few truly believe that the future prime minister will be able to independently lead the government.

“Cycle to Strasbourg” – Serbian Students to Bike 1,000 Kilometers for Human Rights

Students blockading faculties at the University of Novi Sad announced a daring and exhausting journey of over 1,000 kilometers to deliver documentation on human rights violations in Serbia to the European Court of Human Rights.

Students blockading faculties at the University of Novi Sad announced a daring and exhausting journey of over 1,000 kilometers to deliver documentation on human rights violations in Serbia to the European Court of Human Rights.