As the country braces for a new round of student-led protests following eight months of demonstrations, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has urged demonstrators to refrain from violence, warning that such actions could lead to life-changing mistakes. The protests, which started after a deadly incident at the Novi Sad railway station in November 2024, have continued to demand political and criminal accountability for the event, which resulted in the deaths of 16 people. Furthermore, the protesters are pushing for the dissolution of parliament, which could trigger snap elections. According to Vucic, the government has not agreed to the protesters’ demands, though he expressed openness to hearing their concerns, stressing the importance of restraint to protect citizens, especially the youth.
Vucic, in an address to Tanjug news agency, also mentioned that there will be angry crowds in the evening, with some individuals potentially resorting to violence due to perceived lack of choices, which he urged them to avoid. The President emphasized that any violent actions would be a tragic mistake, which would lead to regret for the rest of their lives. As the protests approach their next phase, they also coincide with Vidovdan, Serbia’s primary national and religious holiday, celebrated on June 28. Vucic has encouraged protesters not to disrupt the holiday with violence, highlighting the importance of maintaining the sanctity of the event. The new round of protests comes eight months after the canopy collapse and has led to tensions between the government and universities, as the government has refused to compensate professors for the period when classes were suspended due to student blockades. Students have spearheaded the protest drive, resulting in a standoff between the demonstrators and the government, with the latter refusing to pay professors in full for the halted classes.
The students have written an open letter to the government, stating that if their demands are not met within the given timeframe, they expect citizens to take all necessary measures of civil disobedience to protect their basic rights to a free and legitimate democratic system. The government has issued an ultimatum, and the students are anticipating an announcement by 9pm Saturday. The situation has escalated as the protests continue to demand justice for the Novi Sad incident, leading to tensions within the political landscape of Serbia. The protests are not just about accountability for the canopy collapse, but also about the broader issues of government accountability, political reforms, and the need for a more transparent and democratic system. The protesters are not only students, but also a coalition of various groups demanding change, making the situation more complex and challenging for the government to manage. The government faces the dilemma of how to respond to the demands without escalating the situation further, which could have significant implications for the political landscape of Serbia.