Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has urged calm following recent isolated clashes in Belgrade and other locations between activists associated with the ruling party and protesting students, according to local media reports. Speaking during a visit to the State Data Centre in Kragujevac, Vucic stated, “I call on everyone to calm down. Let everyone present their programmes, let them express their positions, let them go to the podiums, but not call for killing, not call for violence.” He also questioned whether citizens should retaliate if attacked.
During his address, Vucic mentioned that early parliamentary elections are expected within the next two to six months. He added that should his political opponents win, he would offer them his congratulations that same evening. Furthermore, Vucic stated that public opinion polls do not indicate that the student movement is close in popularity to the ruling Serbian Progressive Party.
The students, who have organized protests and blockades at over 60 faculties across Serbia in 2024 and 2025, have been leading anti-government demonstrations. Their demands include anti-corruption measures and the scheduling of early parliamentary elections. These protests were prompted by a fatal incident in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, when the canopy of a recently renovated railway station collapsed, resulting in 16 deaths and one serious injury.
The protesting students have indicated they will abstain from voting, instead supporting a slate of public figures with no prior political involvement.
Topics: #calm #call #let
I hope the President’s call for calm translates into a genuine de-escalation across the city.