Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic issued a public appeal for calm following recent confrontations in Belgrade and other areas between activists associated with the ruling party and protesting students. During a visit to the State Data Centre in Kragujevac, Vucic urged the public to de-escalate tensions. “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,” Vucic stated, also questioning whether citizens should retaliate if they are attacked. Addressing the political climate, Vucic stated that early parliamentary elections are anticipated within the next two to six months. He added that he would congratulate his opponents that same evening should they achieve victory.
Furthermore, he dismissed the notion that student support was close to that of the Serbian Progressive Party, citing his view of public opinion polls. The protests have been organized by students who have conducted blockades at more than 60 faculties across Serbia during 2024 and 2025. These demonstrations, which include demands for anti-corruption measures and early elections, were significantly prompted by a fatal incident in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, when a canopy at a recently renovated railway station collapsed, resulting in 16 deaths.
The protesting students have announced they will not participate in the upcoming vote, opting instead to support a candidate list composed of public figures with no prior political involvement.
Topics: #calm #call #let
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic issued a public appeal for calm subsequent to recent confrontations in Belgrade and other areas between activists associated with the ruling party and protesting stu
What specific measures did the President suggest to help de-escalate the tensions between the groups?