Serbia has once again found itself at the heart of political unrest, with its president, Aleksandar Vucic, claiming that Western powers have spent billions attempting to oust him from power. The allegations come in the wake of widespread student-led protests that have gripped the country for weeks, ignited by a deadly infrastructure collapse in Novi Sad, which has led to heightened public outrage. Vucic’s controversial remarks, broadcast on Pink TV on February 10, have raised the stakes in an already tense political climate, as the president reiterates claims of foreign interference in Serbia’s domestic affairs.

In his interview, Vucic accused Western nations of investing around €3 billion ($3.1 billion) over the past decade to destabilize his administration. He described the efforts as part of a broader strategy to undermine Serbia’s sovereignty and pursue a “color revolution” similar to those seen in other parts of Eastern Europe. These revolutions, often characterized by mass protests and civil disobedience, are viewed by many in the West as part of efforts to push for democratic reforms, particularly in countries with autocratic governments.

Vucic’s claims come against the backdrop of ongoing protests that began after the collapse of a concrete canopy at Novi Sad’s railway station in November. The incident, which claimed the lives of 15 people and left many more injured, triggered an outpouring of anger from the public, who viewed the collapse as the result of corruption and government negligence. The protests, largely organized by students, quickly grew in size, expanding into a broader movement calling for accountability and reforms within the government.

Vucic’s accusations that foreign entities-specifically those with Western, Croatian, and Albanian interests-are fomenting unrest in Serbia are not........

© Blitz