The Novi Sad railway tragedy in November, which claimed 15 lives, has triggered Serbia’s largest protests since 2000. What began as outrage over safety failures quickly evolved into a broader movement demanding justice, electoral reform, and increased education funding, with universities closed for months. BCSDN member Civic Initiatives and other CSOs have severed ties with authorities, citing democratic backsliding, illegal surveillance, and the proposed “foreign influence agents” law. The situation escalated further with Prime Minister Miloš Vučević’s resignation, while lawyers joined the movement with a 30-day strike, adding to institutional paralysis. Serbia’s Anti-Money Laundering Directorate is targeting activists under the pretext of financial investigations, with confidential documents revealing orders for banks to scrutinize the accounts of five prominent activists—an intimidation tactic condemned by international organizations. Critics argue that instead of addressing corruption or major scandals like the Novi Sad tragedy, authorities are using financial institutions to suppress dissent, silence critics, and undermine those advocating for democracy and the rule of law, fueling public outrage and demands for accountability.
Source: Civic Initiatives, Balkan Insight, Radar