Detentions, resignations, and attempts to destroy evidence have surged following former Serbian national-populist Aleksandar Vučić’s electoral defeat on 25 October. A website named ‘System Breakdown’ has been launched to provide real-time updates on these developments. Incidents include high school students catching their principal allegedly trying to destroy documents and the closure of a bank linked to Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). These chaotic reports suggest that Vučić’s power structure is rapidly collapsing after the surprising victory of a student movement in the parliamentary elections.
Despite his defeat, Vučić remains defiant, appearing on loyal media outlets and accusing the student-led movement of “revolutionary terror.” He stated, “This is hard for my family, but I am ready for anything” and denied any criminal links, claiming there is no evidence against him.
Key figures have already been detained, including Vučić’s chief of criminal police, Marko Kričak, suspected of abuse of office in a murder investigation, and Davor Macura, owner of Alta Bank, who was caught trying to siphon millions and faces charges of abuse of office.
Prosecutors must work or resign
While forming the new government, the election winners have urged prosecutors and judges to fulfil their duties or resign. Many investigations into high-level corruption remain unresolved from the previous administration, including one linked to the tragic train station incident on 1st November 2024, which sparked two years of anti-corruption protests. The public is eager to see the outcomes of ongoing reviews, promising that no officials will be untouchable.
Prosecutors are overwhelmed with new complaints, including allegations of election fraud and threats against protesters and journalists. Organised crime prosecutors are also investigating potential illegal surveillance by the state security agency.
On Monday, lawyer Ivan Ninić alleged a “criminal conspiracy” involving a justice ministry official and over thirty prison wardens, claiming they pressured inmates to vote for Vučić. He provided screenshots of officials discussing vote totals from prisoners. In Mali Zvornik, police detained six individuals for providing false residence papers to Bosnian citizens to facilitate voting for Vučić’s party.
Changes started first in the media
Several mainstream media outlets in Serbia, which were previously aligned with Vučić’s administration, have recently begun to reassess their positions. Formerly supportive channels have shifted to a more neutral stance, with some television networks even discontinuing specific programmes. Reports indicate that certain owners have left the country in response to the changing political landscape.
The state broadcaster, RTS, has undergone leadership changes and has publicly apologised to its audience for instances of biased reporting. However, some outlets, such as the Informer and Pink broadcasters, continue to express loyalty to Vučić and regularly feature him in their programming.
Vučić’s SNS is currently facing significant challenges across various cities and towns in the country. The recent election for Serbia’s 250-member parliament did not extend to local governance, leading to growing calls for early municipal elections. The SNS faced notable defeats in the capital, Belgrade, as well as in numerous other municipalities, despite previously maintaining control over local governance, except in one urban municipality in the southern city of Niš.
In response to the election results, employees in theatres, museums, cultural associations, schools, and hospitals are calling for the immediate resignation of managers appointed by the SNS. Additionally, in Belgrade, Ognjen Mrvaljević, the principal of Fifth High School, has refuted claims that he discarded important school documentation. His students proactively retrieved these documents from trash bins after contacting law enforcement. Political analyst Slobodan Stupar has remarked that the SNS appears to have reached the end of its viability, suggesting that its influence may be crumbling rapidly.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
