Serbia is weighing a confidence referendum on President Aleksandar Vucic, as his administration grapples with escalating protests over alleged corruption and mismanagement. The possibility of such a vote, which could test Vucic's political legitimacy, was hinted at by Dragan Vucicevic, editor of the pro-government Informer newspaper and a close ally of the president, on January 14.

Speaking on TV Informer, Vucicevic said, “When the holiday euphoria passes, President Vucic will announce a very important decision.” He dismissed polling data from the election monitoring group CRTA, which suggested 60% of voters would oppose Vucic in a referendum, claiming the figures were biased and linked to opposition leader Dragan Djilas.

Talk about a potential referendum coincides with sustained protests across Serbia. The demonstrations were triggered by the November 1 collapse of a canopy at the railway station in Novi Sad, which claimed the lives of 15 people, including children. Critics have called the tragedy a symbol of governmental negligence and corruption.

Tens of thousands of protesters have since taken to the streets of Belgrade and other cities, demanding accountability. Demonstrators have blocked roads weekly, chanting slogans such as “We want justice” and adopting a red handprint as a symbol of their movement, representing allegations that the government has "blood on its hands."

Vucic challenged opposition parties on January 14 to gather the required 67 parliamentary signatures to initiate an advisory referendum. “Legitimacy is the most important thing in politics, and sovereignty stems from the will of the people,” Vucic said, framing the proposed vote as an affirmation of his democratic mandate. Parliamentary Speaker Ana Brnabic echoed this sentiment, asserting that the ruling majority would contribute 100 signatures if the opposition failed to meet the threshold.

The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), led by Vucic, has previously hinted at a referendum to counter criticism. Opposition leaders and protest organisers view the move as an attempt to consolidate power and deflect attention from the ongoing unrest. The referendum, if it were to go ahead, could serve as a litmus test for Vucic's administration, or as an opportunity to quell protests that have swept the country in the wake of the Novi Sad disaster.