Serbian citizens’ massive support for students’ demands and protests

Students’ protests have become a key driver of political and social change in Serbia, with the potential for further expansion and growing support, according to a new public opinion survey conducted by CRTA.

Even after nearly three months, students’ protests are not fading — actually, they are gaining stronger support. Around 80% of Serbian citizens back most of the students’ demands, and a third of the population reports that they have participated in the ongoing protests.

Rather than anger, fear, or concern, hope and optimism now prevail among citizens—thanks to the protests and the students. Student protests are supported by 64% of citizens, with the most significant increase in support over the past month coming from those who generally support the ruling parties. Currently, one in five citizens who lean toward the ruling parties supports the protests — the percentage has doubled since late December.

Citizens believe the protests can bring about positive change — 46% think the country is heading in the right direction, compared to 38% who disagree. The rise in optimism about Serbia’s future, as the survey data shows, stems clearly from the energy of the students’ protests rather than from trust in the Government policies or the state of the economy.

Nearly 60% of citizens trust the students, and the same percentage believes that the President of the Republic is not in charge  of responding to students’ demands.

More than half of citizens (52%) share the view that student demands have not been met, asserting that only students and university representatives are qualified to assess whether the demands have been fulfilled.

The majority of citizens do not believe the media and political attempts to discredit the students. For 72% of citizens, the protests are a consequence of government neglect and corruption, and not an attempt at a “color revolution” or “Vojvodina separatism.” Moreover, corruption is predominantly seen as the biggest issue in Serbia.

Read the full survey here (available only in Serbian).

*CRTA conducted a telephone survey of Serbian citizens’ opinions using a random-digit-dialing (RDD) method on a nationally representative sample of 1,065 respondents between February 8 and 13, 2025.