Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has alleged that foreign intelligence agencies are attempting to destabilize his government, as mass protests continue following a tragic train station collapse. The incident, which killed 15 people in Novi Sad on November 1, has ignited public outrage over alleged corruption and governance failures.
In a video shared on Instagram, Vucic dismissed growing criticism, declaring, “I will fight for Serbia and serve my people. I will never serve foreign interests or those who seek to destroy Serbia.”
Responding to comparisons made by critics likening him to ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, Vucic said, “If they think I’m Assad and I’ll flee, they are mistaken.” Opposition leaders have accused Vucic of clinging to power amid mounting unrest, likening the situation to Assad’s retreat during Syria’s civil war.
Vucic claimed the protests are part of a Western-led campaign to weaken Serbia through “hybrid tactics.” He vowed to reveal alleged foreign funding aimed at undermining his administration, stating, “I will expose how much money has been spent over the last four years to turn Serbia into a vassal state.”
The protests, which began with demands for accountability over the deadly station collapse, have expanded into broader demonstrations against what many see as Vucic’s increasingly authoritarian rule. Critics blame the collapse on corruption and poor-quality infrastructure work tied to Chinese state firms.
University students and civil society groups have joined the demonstrations, calling for democratic reforms. Meanwhile, Serbia’s parliament is debating a contentious “foreign agents” bill. Modeled on Russian legislation, it would require organizations receiving over 50% of their funding from foreign sources to register as foreign agents.
Civil society groups and international observers have expressed concerns that the law could stifle freedom of expression, stigmatize NGOs, and strain Serbia’s EU membership aspirations.
Vucic, however, remains defiant, pledging to uphold Serbia’s political neutrality and its ties with both Russia and China while resisting Western pressures, including sanctions against Moscow.
