An online survey on the protests triggered by the Law on Referendum and Popular Initiative and the Law on Expropriation (12 December 2021; N=98) shows high mobilization among respondents, but also a pronounced doubt in “quick victories.” As many as 70% report that they participated in the protests—35% until the “Kreni promeni” demands were adopted, and another 35% even after the demands were adopted. Thirty percent did not participate.
How do respondents interpret the protests? Most see them as political (54.04%)—an expression of broader dissatisfaction with the state of society—while 36.65% emphasize their civic character and a fight for the rights of citizens who feel affected by the Rio Tinto project. A party framing is marginal (4.97%), as is the thesis of “hybrid” influence by foreign actors (1.24%).
The most interesting finding concerns attitudes toward the acceptance of demands: 51% believe it primarily represents a postponement of the continuation of Rio Tinto project works until after the elections, while 21% interpret it as a victory for the demonstrators and 16% as a defeat for the president. The message is clear: even when the authorities give in, part of the public reads it as a tactical maneuver rather than a genuine change of course.
The assessment of TV coverage further reveals polarization. RTS, Pink, Happy, Prva, and B92 are mostly perceived as channels that “promote the government” or “conduct propaganda for the government,” including elements of labeling and discrediting critics. In contrast, N1 is predominantly seen as informative: 54% say it provides relevant information, and 19% say it investigates and analyzes the protests.
The sample is predominantly Belgrade-based (57% from central Belgrade), male (62%), and older (46–55: 36%). Ideologically, social-democratic self-identification dominates (45%). Regarding the 2020 elections, as many as 85% say they did not vote due to irregular conditions. Although not representative, the survey suggests a trend: the protests are experienced as legitimate political pressure, while trust in institutions and in media mediation remains low.