Civil unrest erupted in Serbia over the weekend leading to the largest protest in Belgrade’s history. Tensions have been building since November after a deadly disaster in Novi Sad that most believe could have been prevented. Between 100,000 and 400,000 Serbians took to the streets to demand that the government be held accountable for the tragedy.
Now all of this was completely arranged by Serbian students as the youth is demanding change. The 15 for 15 Protest that took place on March 15 was also named to honor the 15 civilians who died in Novi Sad after an outdoor roof covering a train station suddenly collapsed on them. Protestors asked for 15 minutes of silence to honor the victims before chanting that President Aleksandar Vucic was “FINISHED!”
The train station in question was recently renovated under suspicious circumstances. Chinese companies and the Progressive Party (SNS) have ties to the renovation. Yet, Serbian authorities initially claimed that the outdoor roof had not been part of the reconstruction but later admitted that they lied. No one has been held accountable and protestors strongly believe that there has been a massive government cover up.
Sound familiar? Greece recently witnessed the largest protest in the nation’s history after the government also attempted to cover up a fatal, potentially preventable, tragedy. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis heeded to the calls of the people and agreed to investigate the matter. President Vucic, on the other hand, has shown no remorse. “I won’t allow the street to set the rules,” he said on Friday after stating all protestors would be arrested. “We have a state and we will show you the state,” he said. Vucic underestimated the passionate rage of his people whose protest chants soon demanded his resignation.
The media is not reporting how the government initially responded to protestors during the peaceful 15 minutes of silence. Long-range acoustic devices (LRAD) or sound canons were used to disorient protestors through powerful soundwaves. Protestors in the line of the soundwave reported feeling strange, as if their brains had stopped working, causing them to run from the sound involuntarily.
Socrates warned that 2025 would mark a major turning point on the Economic Confidence Model, signaling increasing political and social unrest. Government trust is collapsing, authoritarianism is rising, and the people are beginning to understand that they hold the power IF they come together as a collective.
