Around 80 percent of Serbian citizens back most of the students’ demands, a third of the population reports that they have participated in the ongoing protests, while student protests are supported by 64 percent of citizens, said the Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA) following its latest survey.

Students protests have become a key driver of political and social change in Serbia, with the potential for further expansion and growing support, according to a new public opinion survey conducted by CRTA.

Even after nearly three months, students’ protests are not fading, but actually gaining stronger support, said CRTA.

“Rather than anger, fear, or concern, hope and optimism now prevail among citizens—thanks to the protests and the students. Student protests are supported by 64 percent of citizens, with the most significant increase in support over the past month coming from those who generally support the ruling parties. Currently, one in five citizens who lean toward the ruling parties supports the protests — the percentage has doubled since late December,” it added.

Citizens believe the protests can bring about positive change — 46 percent think the country is heading in the right direction, compared to 38 percent who disagree. The rise in optimism about Serbia’s future, as the survey data shows, stems clearly from the energy of the students’ protests rather than from trust in the Government policies or the state of the economy.

Nearly 60 percent of citizens trust the students, and the same percentage believes that the President of the Republic is not in charge of responding to students’ demands, said CRTA.

According to the survey results, more than half of citizens (52 percent) share the view that student demands have not been met, asserting that only students and university representatives are qualified to assess whether the demands have been fulfilled.

The majority of citizens do not believe the media and political attempts to discredit the students. For 72 percent of citizens, the protests are a consequence of government neglect and corruption, and not an attempt at a “color revolution” or “Vojvodina separatism.” Moreover, corruption is predominantly seen as the biggest issue in Serbia, CRTA said.