### demonstrations in Serbia: a cry of alarm for democracy
On this day, the Belgrade urban network vibrates under the footsteps of hundreds of thousands of Serbs who descend into the street, an unprecedented protest movement is emerging. At the heart of this colossal gathering, a common requirement emerges: the fight against corruption and respect for the rule of law. This phenomenon cannot be perceived as a simple news item. On the contrary, it represents a crucial turning point in the political history of Serbia, a country which, for 13 years, has lived under the shadow of President Aleksandar Vučić.
### A complex historical and socio -political context
To fully grasp the extent of this mobilization, it is essential to confront our eyes with the recent past of Serbia. The Balkan nation, marked by devastating wars in the 1990s, experienced a delicate transition to a fragile democracy. Despite the efforts of integration into the European Union, the country is still fighting against the remains of an authoritarian regime: attacks on press freedom, the manipulation of public institutions and the prevalence of clientelism are all ailments that hinder the proper functioning of democracy.
The majority of Serbs demonstrating today are not satisfied with a simple change of face at the top of the state; They demand systematic transformations which would allow them to free themselves from a political environment marked by opacity and corruption. Surveys of perception of corruption, such as those carried out by Transparency International, reveal that 77 % of Serbs estimate that corruption is a major problem in their country. This figure has only increased over the years, testifying to an increasing distrust of institutions.
### Unexpected popular momentum
This might seem only yet another demonstration against a controversial leader turns into a wide movement which brings together voices from various fringes of society. From young people to retirees, from intellectuals to workers, everyone seems to carry a heavyweight on their shoulders here: that of the hope of a better future. This wind of protest finds echo in other parts of Eastern Europe, where anti-corruption movements echo a universal desire for justice.
Already, this rally in Serbia can be compared with other velvet revolutions in Europe (such as the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia or demonstrations in Georgia), where citizens tired of corruption and injustice have united their forces to challenge perceived as oppressive systems. In addition, the similarity of slogans and songs between these movements shows a red wire of solidarity through the Balkans.
### A civic response: solidarity to the test of power
The reaction of the government of Vučić in the face of this wave of demonstrations is essential. We could expect a repression, as was the case in some neighboring countries. However, what is striking is the diversity of the strategies mobilized by the demonstrators: the use of social networks to coordinate actions and make their voices heard, but also the encouragement of a peaceful and constructive dialogue with the representatives of the government, which so far, have moved in silence.
Institutions, companies, committed citizens: all are called to happen in this participatory and above all democratic framework, where each voice counts. This approach prevents falling into the instability trap that could take advantage of the authorities in place to accentuate repression under the cover of national security.
### Outlook for the future: between hope and skepticism
It is indisputable that the current situation in Serbia represents a turning point. To draw the future of this movement, it would be useful to study the causes of mobilization, their sustainability, and the impact of results on local and national governance. The question that hangs above this new dawn is: are political elites ready to listen to?
The strength of this mobilization will undoubtedly be put to the test by time, but also by the many challenges of a democratic transition. The voices that are rising today in the streets of Belgrade are the echo of a collective desire, that of a better tomorrow. It remains to be seen whether the Vučić government will be able to hear this call to build, in collaboration with its people, a state governed by law and not by the decrees of power.
While demonstrators continue to parade, the world observe with attention tinged with hope. Serbia does not only denounce corruption; It embodies a broader dream of justice and respect for fundamental rights, a dream to which everyone aspires, wherever it is on the globe.