A movement born in grief has redrawn Serbia’s political map. Following the deaths of 16 people in the Novi Sad railway station tragedy, student protests grew into a nationwide demand for justice—and an electoral victory over Aleksandar Vučić’s political camp.

Roifield Brown speaks with Professor Aleksandra Krstić of the University of Belgrade about how a leaderless movement built public trust, bypassed government-aligned media and turned face-to-face organising into votes. She explains why students chose to nominate experts and professionals rather than seek parliamentary seats themselves.

With victory comes a harder test: rebuilding independent institutions, holding those responsible for abuses to account and resisting the temptation to concentrate power again. The conversation also explores Serbia’s European ambitions, its relationships with Russia and China, its position on Kosovo and the unfinished promise of the democratic changes that followed Milošević’s fall.

Can the solidarity that filled Serbia’s streets become the foundation for lasting democratic government?

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