Detentions, resignations, and alleged attempts to destroy evidence of wrongdoing are shaking Serbia in the wake of former strongman Aleksandar Vucic's electoral defeat.
The pace of events has been so rapid that a website using AI has been created to track developments since the Oct. 25 parliamentary ballot, which saw a stunning victory for a student-led movement.
Reports suggest a swift collapse of Vucic's established power system, with high school students catching their principal allegedly attempting to destroy documentation and the closure of a bank believed to be linked to the now-ousted Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
While the election winners, known as the Students' List, have yet to formally assume control of government administration, security agencies, and the army, the seismic shift is already precipitating events.
Despite his electoral loss, Vucic, now described as the opposition leader, has continued to make public appearances on loyal media outlets, accusing the student movement of "revolutionary terror" and vowing to fight back. He told Pink television on Sunday that he is prepared for anything and will persist, adding that he does not fear arrest as he believes no evidence will be found against him, stating, "I don’t sign anything... and nothing will be found."
Among those detained are Marko Kricak, Vucic's chief of criminal police, and another senior police official, both suspected of abuse of office related to a high-profile murder investigation. Kricak was previously known for accusations of threatening a student with rape during anti-government protests, though he was not jailed for those allegations.
On Monday, authorities also detained Davor Macura, the owner of private Alta Bank, whose license has been revoked. The bank is believed to be linked to Vucic's SNS party, and Macura faces charges of abuse of office for allegedly attempting to siphon away millions of dollars.
The election victors have urged prosecutors and judges to resume their duties or resign as the country awaits the formation of a new government. Numerous investigations into alleged top-level corruption cases remained incomplete under the previous administration.
Prosecutors have received a surge of new complaints concerning alleged election fraud, threats, and violence against protesters, journalists, and activists. The state security agency is also under scrutiny, with organized crime prosecutors initiating procedures to determine if illegal surveillance occurred.
Lawyer Ivan Ninic alleged a "criminal conspiracy" involving a justice ministry official and numerous prison wardens who reportedly pressured or bribed inmates to vote for Vucic. Ninic presented purported screenshots of online chats detailing efforts to secure votes, which align with the SNS's strong performance in Serbia's prisons.
In Mali Zvornik, police detained six individuals accused of providing fraudulent residence papers to Bosnian citizens to enable them to vote for Vucic's party.
Mainstream media outlets that previously supported Vucic have begun to adjust their reporting. Some television channels have canceled programs, and owners are reportedly leaving the country. State broadcaster RTS has replaced its leadership and apologized for biased reporting, though some prominent outlets like Informer and Pink continue to feature Vucic regularly.
While the recent election concerned the national parliament, calls are growing for early municipal elections. Vucic's SNS lost in Belgrade and most other major towns, a significant shift from their previous widespread control.
Employees across various public sectors, including theaters, museums, schools, and hospitals, are demanding the resignation of SNS-appointed managers. At Belgrade's Fifth High School, the principal denied allegations of destroying documents after students retrieved them from garbage bins and called the police.
Analyst Slobodan Stupar commented that Vucic's party "expiration date has passed," predicting a domino effect of collapses.