Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has urged calm following recent clashes in Belgrade and other locations between ruling party activists 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 further questioned the appropriateness of retaliation, asking, “I also ask my people, if you are attacked, should you also hit back?”
During the address, Vucic indicated that early parliamentary elections are anticipated within two to six months.
He added that should his political opponents win, he would offer his congratulations that same evening. Regarding the student protests, Vucic stated that public opinion polls do not indicate that the student list rivals the popularity of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party. The student groups have organized anti-government protests, demanding anti-corruption measures and early parliamentary elections.
These demonstrations have included blockades at over 60 faculties across Serbia during 2024 and 2025. The movement was spurred by a significant incident in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, when the canopy of a newly renovated railway station collapsed, resulting in 16 fatalities and one serious injury. The protesting students have announced they will not participate in the election, opting instead to support a slate of public figures with no prior involvement in the country’s politics.
Topics: #calm #call #let
It’s concerning to hear about the clashes, regardless of which side is involved.
What specific measures does the President recommend to de-escalate tensions between the two groups?