IDM Short Insights 43: Serbia and Albania: Protests and the EU
5 things you need to know about the protests in Serbia and Albania!
In November 2024, large-scale protests erupted in Serbia and Albania, exposig deep-seated corruption and raising critical questions about democracy in Southeastern Europe. In Serbia, students led mass protests after a deadly infrastructure failure linked to government corruption, while in Albania, demonstrations targeted both ruling and opposition figures involved in corruption scandals. The EU’s response has been tepid. As democracy rises from below, the key question remains: Will the EU support genuine democratic reform, or continue prioritising regional stability over accountability?
Our trainee, Antonie Blumberg, answers five key questions about the protests.
Transcript:
Southeastern Europe – a region that is often portrayed as being plagued by illiberalism and democratic backsliding. But guess what? People are fighting back offering a counter-narrative to this! In November 2024 protests erupted in Serbia and Albania exposing corruption in a very deep-rooted manner. You haven’t heard about it? Here’s all you need to know:
Why did the protests start?
In Serbia, in the city of Novi Sad, a train station collapsed and killed 15 people last November. Whistleblowers then revealed that corruption and nepotism were responsible for the shoddy construction work. This is part of a larger trend of non-transparent infrastructure projects tied to Chinese state companies. In Albania, different corruption scandals involving Edi Rama of the ruling Socialist Party but also different figures of opposition Democratic Party sparked corruption protests. It started in October 2024 and flared up again and again until now
How are the Protests now developing?
Despite both protests being sparked by corruption, they developed in very different directions. In Serbia, protests are predominantly led by students, making them independent of direct political influence. In Albania, they are led by opposition forces, making them inherently politicised.
Corruption – how bad is it?
In Serbia, we have a highly centralised form of state capture. Everything is controlled by Vučić’s ruling party, from courts to media. However, Radio Television Serbia, known for its close ties to President Vučić, now started to report on the protests without denouncing them. In Albania, corruption is way more fragmented. Both government and opposition figures are accused, making accountability a very messy political game.
And the EU?
The EU should back democracy as it’s emphasising democratic reforms and rule of law as the pivotal issue for the countries’ European integration… but does it? In Albania, the EU is stating: “Please, no violence, just keep talking. We do not want any rapid changes.” And for Serbia, there is silence. Meanwhile, Vučić is closing economic deals with the EU and the protestors are not even mentioned at all.
Is it about corruption?
The protests aren’t just about corruption—they’re about democracy itself emerging from below. And while Western media and western politicians are not talking about them a lot, especially the protests in Serbia are historic. They are the biggest student protests since 1968. Now the question is: Will the EU step up and push for real democratic change, or will it continue to support leaders that are supposedly “stabilising” the region?
