PUBLICATION: Policy brief
Anti-systemic Extremism in Serbia
Anti-systemic extremism (ASE) in Serbia has expanded amid prolonged political crises, institutional distrust, and disillusionment with the European integration. Like elsewhere in Europe, ASE thrives in periods of societal instability that expose weaknesses in democratic governance. In Serbia, authoritarian tendencies, media control, and pervasive conspiracy narratives have further fueled skepticism toward institutions and “global elites.”
This study analyses six Serbian ASE actors: We – Voice from the People, MOBA Movement, People’s Patrols, Zentropa, Zbor, and Serbian Action, which differ in size, structure and visibility but share opposition to representative democracy, human rights, and multiculturalism. While some, like We – Voice from the People, engage in electoral politics, others reject democratic norms entirely, advocating clerical, authoritarian, or nationalist alternatives. Common discursive tools include populist “people versus elites” rhetoric, conspiracy theories, and appeals to traditionalism and national identity. Overall, ASE in Serbia represents a spectrum ranging from populist to openly fascist ideologies, unified by anti-globalism, and the erosion of faith in democracy.
Skip to PDF contentTags: Anti-systemic extremism, ASE, extremism
DETAILS
DATE: 08.12.2025
TOPICS: Challenges Risks and Threats, Extremism, In Focus
TYPE: Policy brief
DOI Number: https://doi.org/10.55042/JFBX7554
AUTHORS
SHARE
PDF PREVIEW
RELATED

Date: 07.04.2026.
Author: Belgrade Centre for Security Policy
This paper examines how the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) is portrayed in existing research and media discourse, primarily as a major conduit of Russian influence in the Western Balkans through narratives tied to the Kremlin’s “Russian World” project and hybrid warfare activities.

Date: 24.03.2026.
Author: Dr Srđan Cvijić |
This publication assesses how six external actors - Russia, China, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israel, and Azerbaijan - engage with the Western Balkans (WB) and how such engagement affects the European Union (EU) enlargement process.

Date: 09.02.2026.
Author: Maja Bjeloš |
The concept of the “colour revolution” has shifted from describing democratic uprisings in post-socialist states to serving as a powerful tool of authoritarian control. In Serbia, the ruling elite—drawing heavily on the Russian strategic playbook—has reframed the term as a symbol of foreign subversion aimed at overthrowing the government and destabilising the country. Since 2012, this narrative has been systematically used to delegitimise dissent, protests, and civic mobilisation.
