Serbia Post-Election: Police Arrests, Bank Failures, and Media Overhauls
In the week since Student List took power, two high-ranking police officials were detained, a major bank lost its license, and public broadcasters issued formal apologies.
By Dylan Moore ·
The political transition in Serbia has moved with speed since Student List secured a parliamentary victory on October 25. The new leadership has moved to dismantle structures associated with former president Aleksandar Vucic, who held power for more than a decade. The changes have spanned law enforcement, the banking sector, and public media.
Law enforcement officials are under scrutiny. Marko Kricak, head of the Criminal Police Directorate, and Bosko Sekulovic, a commander for organized crime units, were arrested on November 1. Prosecutors accused the two of abusing their positions during an investigation into a murder case from May. That case originally involved Veselin Milic, the former Belgrade police chief. Kricak had received decorations from Vucic and faced allegations of police brutality against demonstrators. Prosecutors stated the arrest had no connection to the October 25 election results.
Financial institutions face parallel pressures. Davor Macura, owner of Alta Bank, was arrested in Belgrade on November 2. He is scheduled to be questioned by the Organized Crime Prosecutor's office. The National Bank of Serbia revoked Alta Bank's license on October 30. Regulators cited a deterioration in the bank's financial condition and the risk of further decline. Alta Bank served several large state-owned enterprises and entities linked to Russian interests. The parent company told journalists that a European Central Bank probe ended in 2025 without finding the group responsible for wrongdoing.
Physical symbols of the previous administration are also changing. Pioneers' Park, located beside the Parliament building, reopened to the public. A pro-government encampment had occupied the space since March 2025, blocking access during student protests. Local Ksenija described the cleanup process as a mix of cleaning and crying. In the education sector, Radivoje P. Stojkovic, principal of Jovina High School in Novi Sad, was arrested on October 28. He refused a court order to reinstate four teachers suspended in May for supporting street protests and class boycotts.
Cultural institutions are returning to their historic homes. Exit festival announced it will return to Novi Sad in July 2027 for a small event and hold a full festival the following year. The organizers cited undemocratic pressures as the reason for leaving Serbia in 2025. The announcement on Instagram received more than 100,000 reactions.
Public broadcasters have undergone leadership changes. Manja Grcic, director of Radio Television of Serbia, dismissed the news department head on October 28 and resigned the same day. The station apologized to viewers for omissions during the prior period. At Radio Television of Vojvodina, General Manager Goran Karadzic resigned on October 26. Editor-in-chief Nenad Cacic resigned on October 30. The station began its evening news with an apology for failing to perform its function for many years.
These moves mark a rapid departure from the norms established during Vucic's tenure. The arrests, resignations, and institutional apologies reflect a comprehensive effort to reset state institutions. The new government has prioritized accountability in the police and banking sectors while restoring public trust in media and cultural landmarks.
Source: RFE/RL
