In Pursuit of Development The protest that changed Serbia | Nemanja Džuverović
Nov 5, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Nemanja Džuverović, a Professor of Peace Studies at the University of Belgrade, shares insights on the powerful student-led protests in Serbia following a tragic train-station collapse. He reveals how grief transformed into a movement challenging corruption and democratic decay. The conversation explores Serbia's struggle with 'stabilocracy,' regional democratic trends, and the growing disillusionment with the European project among youth. Džuverović also addresses Serbia's pivot towards China and the complex landscape of political alliances.
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Authoritarian Growth With Foreign Buyers
- Economic growth under populist rule coexists with democratic decline and rising inequality.
- China has become Serbia's largest investor, funding infrastructure and extractive projects across the country.
Shiny Projects, Unequal Gains
- Rapid inflows of foreign investment deepen inequality because Serbia lacks progressive taxation and redistributive policies.
- Students cite this unequal growth as a core grievance of the protest movement.
Faculty Backing And Salary Sacrifice
- Professors at the University of Belgrade instinctively supported the student occupations and joined protests across faculties.
- The government cut some professors' salaries for months, but solidarity funds and public support helped sustain them.