Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić accused foreign intelligence services of attempting to overthrow him amid widespread protests, asserting he wouldn’t flee like the ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad.
In a video posted on Instagram, Vučić said, “I will fight for Serbia and serve only my Serbian people… I will never serve foreigners, those who seek to defeat, humiliate, and destroy Serbia.”
Protests erupted following a deadly roof collapse at a Novi Sad train station on November 1, which killed 15 people. Protesters blame corruption for the tragedy, citing sloppy renovation work tied to a deal with Chinese companies. The protests, which have spread to cities like Belgrade, reflect growing dissatisfaction with Vučić’s authoritarian rule and calls for democratic reforms.
🇷🇸 #Vucic: "If you think I'm #Assad, I'm not" Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic recorded a video accusing foreign intelligence of trying to overthrow him through protests. He said he would reveal how much was spent on attempts to overthrow the Serbian government. “I will fight⬇️ pic.twitter.com/0mcIgJQeQ4
— Dada Shastoni (@DadaShastoni) December 11, 2024
Critics have drawn comparisons between Vučić and Assad, suggesting he might follow the Syrian leader’s example if he loses control. Vučić, however, rejected these claims, saying, “If they think I’m Assad, and that I’ll run away somewhere, I will not.”
In the video, Vučić also claimed that the protests, now supported by university students, are being funded by the West to destabilize Serbia. He promised to reveal details in the coming weeks about foreign efforts to undermine the country and make it a “vassal state.”
While Serbia seeks EU membership, Vučić maintains strong ties with Russia and China, including a refusal to join Western sanctions against Moscow. Meanwhile, Serbia’s parliament is discussing a controversial “foreign agents” bill, modeled after a similar Russian law. The bill, targeting organizations funded mainly by foreign sources, has drawn criticism for potentially restricting civil society and stifling freedom of speech.
