Serbia's Post-Election Week Brings Arrests, Resignations, And Park Cleanup

The political shift in Serbia has accelerated rapidly since Student List secured victory in the October 25 parliamentary elections. In the days following the ousting of Aleksandar Vucic, a series of high-profile arrests, resignations, and public cleanups have reshaped the country's institutional landscape.

Two senior police officials were taken into custody on November 1. Marko Kricak, who led the Criminal Police Directorate, and Bosko Sekulovic, a commander focused on organized crime, face accusations of abusing their positions. The charges stem from an investigation into a complex murder case from May that initially involved Veselin Milic, the former police chief of Belgrade. Prosecutors stated that Kricak's detention is unrelated to the election outcome, despite his close ties to the Vucic administration and past links to allegations of brutality against protesters.

Financial scrutiny has also intensified. Davor Macura, the owner of Alta Bank, was arrested in Belgrade on November 2 to face questioning by the Organized Crime Prosecutor. The National Bank of Serbia revoked the bank's license on October 30, citing a severe decline in its financial condition. Alta Bank served several large state-owned companies and Russian-linked entities. The bank's parent company told journalists that a European Central Bank investigation into money laundering was closed in 2025 and that no wrongdoing was found.

Public spaces tied to the previous regime have been reopened. The pro-government encampment in Pioneers' Park, which had blocked access to the area since March 2025, was dismantled immediately after the election results were known. Local residents helped clear the site, with one resident describing the process as "cleaning and crying." The park is now accessible to the public after months of police-managed restrictions.

Changes have also reached the education sector. Radivoje P. Stojkovic, principal of Jovina High School in Novi Sad, was arrested on October 28. He refused to follow a court order allowing four suspended teachers to return to their positions. Those teachers had been suspended in May during mass anti-government protests. Stojkovic had been a vocal supporter of Vucic, who had defended the principal during the dispute over the suspensions at the school, which has more than 1,000 students.

The public broadcasting sector saw a wave of leadership turnover. At Radio Television of Serbia, Director Manja Grcic fired the head of the news department on October 28 before resigning later that day under pressure from staff and student representatives. The station apologized to viewers for content omitted in previous years. At Radio Television of Vojvodina, General Manager Goran Karadzic resigned on October 26, followed by editor-in-chief Nenad Cacic on October 30. The station opened its evening news with an apology for failing to perform its function for many years.

Cultural events are also returning to normal. Exit festival announced it will return to its founding city of Novi Sad in 2027. The festival had left Serbia in 2025, citing undemocratic pressures and sponsorships linked to its support for student protests. Organizers pledged a full-scale event for the following year after a smaller celebration in July 2027 dedicated to freedom and unity.