Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic issued an appeal for tranquility following recent confrontations in Belgrade and other areas between activists affiliated with the ruling party and student protesters. During a visit to the State Data Centre in Kragujevac, Vucic urged the public to remain calm. He 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. I also ask my people, if you are attacked, should you also hit back?”
Regarding the political landscape, Vucic indicated that early parliamentary elections are expected within two to six months. He added that he would extend congratulations to his political opponents on the evening of the election, even if they secure victory.
Furthermore, he dismissed circulating public opinion polls, asserting that the student movement is not close in popularity to the ruling Serbian Progressive Party. The student body has organized anti-government protests, advocating for anti-corruption measures and early elections. These demonstrations included blockades at more than 60 faculties across Serbia during 2024 and 2025.
The protests were significantly amplified by a fatal incident in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, when a concrete canopy at a newly renovated railway station collapsed, resulting in 16 fatalities and one serious injury. In response to these events, the protesting students have announced they intend to boycott the upcoming vote, opting instead to support a list of public figures with no prior involvement in national politics.
Topics: #calm #call #let
The President’s appeal for calm seems timely given the recent clashes.