PUBLICATION: Study
MANUFACTURED THREAT: The Use of the “Colour Revolution” Narrative as a Tool of Authoritarian Rule in Serbia
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.
Successive waves of protest—over environmental damage, political violence, corruption, or major projects such as the Belgrade Waterfront—have been portrayed as foreign-orchestrated “colour revolutions.” By labelling domestic grievances as externally instigated, the regime shifts responsibility for internal failures onto outside actors, while justifying legal and repressive measures against activists and protesters. This framing intensified after the 2024 Novi Sad railway station tragedy, which triggered nationwide student-led protests and a new cycle of repression.
The colour revolution narrative in Serbia functions less as a reflection of genuine belief and more as a strategic instrument of power. Reinforced through a pro-government media ecosystem and institutional cooperation with Russia, it criminalises dissent, fuels political apathy, and deepens social polarisation. Although public support for protests—especially among youth—reveals growing resistance to this framing, the regime’s dominance over information and narrative construction remains a major obstacle to democratic change.
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