The protests in Serbia are a profound reflection of the need for the majority of society to restore the country to the principles of the rule of law and to seriously combat corruption, which has led to the loss of innocent lives
Since the 2008 global financial crisis – the year of Russia’s invasion of Georgia – the world has experienced the 2014 migrant crisis (coinciding with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea), the Covid-19 pandemic and the immense challenges of dramatic climate change. We are living in an era of global “polycrisis”.
On top of this, the middle class of the West has been declining in terms of relative wealth for four decades, despite overall progress and improved quality of life. Meanwhile, a thin layer of society has amassed immense riches – such that the top 1% now controls 43% of global financial power. As social and economic inequalities widen, people increasingly feel as though something is deeply wrong.
Europe’s demographic decline means that a vast influx of new workers (migrants) is required to fill jobs in all sectors.
The fear of mass migration and the sharp rise in the cost of living have fuelled the growth of the right-wing and far-right across many countries.
A far-right party currently leads the Italian government and the same is likely to happen in Austria soon, while Germany’s far-right AfD party is projected to take second place in the country’s upcoming elections.
Social and economic inequalities are widening, and people feel that something is deeply wrong. This is one of the common threads among mass protests in Europe, though significant domestic differences remain
These populist and nationalist parties promote a conservative worldview, border closures to (illegal) migrants and promises of economic recovery – almost identical to the policies being pursued by the 47th U.S. president, Donald Trump.
Mass protests across Europe share common threads, but also have distinct domestic drivers. In Germany, Italy and Austria, the key motivations are economic hardship, migration and social discontent. The reasons are similar in former Warsaw Pact and Soviet Union countries, albeit intertwined with additional factors. In Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, the people overwhelmingly wish to join the European Union and any indication that the authorities are obstructing this path sparks mass protests. The fundamental demands are EU integration, rule of law, separation of powers and media freedom. This was the case in Ukraine in 2014-15, and we are now witnessing persistent protests in Georgia following what many believe were fraudulent elections last October.
In Romania, an EU and NATO member, the annulment of the presidential elections has led people to demand genuinely free and fair elections and a decisive fight against corruption. Social and economic inequalities are widening, and people feel that something is deeply wrong. This is one of the common threads among mass protests in Europe, though significant domestic differences remain.
The protests in Serbia that were triggered by the 1st November tragedy in Novi Sad are a deep reflection of Serbian society’s demand for a return to the rule of law, respect for freedoms and rights, and a serious crackdown on corruption, which has cost innocent lives. People recognise that something is profoundly wrong and have raised their voices with determination, led by students who are demanding institutions – primarily the judiciary – begin operating independently and free themselves of state control.
