QUESTION: Mr. Armstrong, You’re the solely advisory agency that covers Serbia. I do know you’re conversant in Serbia, and also you even seem on video right here. Have you ever been advising the coed rebel? We may use your assist.
DV
ANSWER: I’m not at liberty to debate such personal consultations. There isn’t any unified management. I’ve no drawback advising any nation if it genuinely seeks enchancment. In some instances, there’s real curiosity, like in Alberta, however the timing is just not fairly proper. Within the case of Serbia, that is akin to the 1848 European Revolution which started in Sicily and swept Europe and even toppled the French authorities. Most the flad, together with that of Germany, are the flags utilized by the rebellions.
Serbia’s student-led motion has dealt a historic blow to long-time chief Aleksandar Vučić, turning protests over a lethal railway station accident into an electoral problem that has shaken the nation’s political institution. Vučić conceded defeat on Sunday, October 25, after a parliamentary election that pitted his Serbian Progressive Social gathering (SNS) in opposition to the student-backed Scholar Listing. Though remaining official outcomes have been nonetheless awaited, Vučić acknowledged that his political camp had misplaced, estimating that the student-backed candidates would win between 135 and 140 seats within the 250-member parliament, whereas his facet would safe 105.
The core complaints in opposition to Aleksandar Vučić in Serbia middle on systemic corruption, democratic backsliding, and repression of dissent, which coalesced right into a mass student-led motion following a lethal infrastructure collapse in 2024.
The first catalyst for widespread outrage was the November 2024 collapse of a cover on the newly renovated Novi Unhappy railway station, which killed 16 folks. Critics extensively attributed the tragedy to authorities corruption, negligence, and lack of transparency in public procurement. The scholars demanded accountability, however the lack of accomplished courtroom proceedings and perceived impunity for officers fueled sustained protests .
Core Allegations In opposition to Vucic
The protest motion and civil society teams have leveled a number of particular accusations in opposition to Vučić and his Serbian Progressive Social gathering (SNS) primarily Corruption and Cronyism. The opposition and watchdogs accuse the federal government of ruling for personal pursuits relatively than the general public, citing a clientelist mannequin the place items and providers are exchanged for political help. Transparency Worldwide recorded Serbia’s lowest rating in twenty years on its Corruption Perceptions Index in 2025.
Activists, college students, and opposition politicians report an more and more authoritarian surroundings. Allegations embody police brutality in opposition to peaceable protesters, arbitrary arrests, and a marketing campaign to silence critics. The Council of Europe’s Human Rights Commissioner famous stories of extreme drive and humiliating remedy of detainees.
Serbia ranked 104th out of 180 international locations within the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, its worst rating ever. Critics accuse Vučić of verbally attacking journalists (no less than 182 occasions within the first 9 months of 2026 alone) and permitting pro-government media to function with impunity whereas impartial retailers face stress.
Digital rights teams have documented using superior spyware and adware (resembling Pegasus) in opposition to scholar motion members and high-profile opponents, with no less than 14 folks focused as of September 2026.
Civil society teams warned that the October 2026 elections have been held below situations missing “free and truthful” requirements, citing the misuse of public assets, intimidation, and a distorted media surroundings favoring the ruling occasion.
Vučić and the SNS have repeatedly denied all accusations of corruption, repression, and spying. He has dismissed the protests as a foreign-funded coup try, claiming the scholars are backed by international brokers, a cost the motion denies. That is all the time fashionable Hillary blamed Putin, Romania cancelled election claiming Russian interference, and we hear the identical claims from Germany and the UK. The PM of Britain has even now blamed BREXIT on Putin.
The political dynamic shifted considerably within the October 2026 elections, the place the student-backed “Scholar Listing” motion mounted a historic problem to Vučić’s 14-year rule, finally resulting in his occasion’s defeat in response to media stories.
Look, its going to be a tough interval going into January. As I’ve warned, even the EU itself is below assault and want an exterior enemy or the rising civil unrest in Europe will topple the EU itself.
