From blockades to ballots: Serbian students confront government
BELGRADE – Serbian students leading an anti-corruption movement that has rocked the Balkan country for months maintained the pressure Friday with a march in the western city of Loznica -- the first major protest since their call for early elections.
Many arrived the night before on foot from across Serbia and were welcomed by residents with flags and fireworks.
The country has been shaken by months of protests sparked by the deaths of 16 people when a newly renovated railway station roof collapsed in the northern city of Novi Sad in November, a tragedy widely seen as the result of deep-rooted corruption.
Students have blocked universities, streets and roads, marched across Serbia, cycled to Strasbourg, and run to Brussels, all while remaining nonpartisan in their message.
These actions have "helped raise awareness" and "reached parts of the public that the political opposition had never reached", Dusan Vucicevic, a University of Belgrade political science professor, told AFP.
But as demonstrations have escalated, "people have been waiting for some political articulation," he added, referring to tactics.
Earlier this week, students shifted gears and called for early parliamentary elections.
"We came to the point where we realised that this government is not going to fulfil our demands. This has lasted for almost six months, and they are acting like we don't exist," Andjela, a Belgrade Academy student, told AFP.
Students have demanded accountability for the tragedy, prosecution of those who attacked protesters, dismissal of charges against arrested students, and an investigation into the alleged use of a sound cannon during a demonstration in March.
Looming polls
Facing the greatest challenge of his 12-year rule, the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has oscillated between calls for dialogue and accusations that the students are backed by foreign powers seeking a "colour revolution."
Commenting on their demand for elections, he said Wednesday that students "won't wait long," though he offered no date.
Students have already begun preparing with a list of candidates they would support, which they say "would unite the largest number of Serbian citizens" by featuring the names of eminent individuals rather than politicians.
"Students won't be candidates. It will be people we trust," Andjela said, adding that a criteria for prospective candidates was still being established.
Vucicevic said the students' strength lies in their emotional connection with the public, as well as in the fact that their "demands are political but not party-driven".
"They focus on respect for law, social justice, and political accountability, universal values that resonate widely," Vucicevic said.
Public trust
Most opposition parties, ranging from the left to the centre, have said they will support the students' demands and assist them in organising.
However, parties have not stated whether they would pull candidates in favour of the students' preferred nominees.
Vucicevic pointed out that the opposition struggles with public trust, partly as a result of smear campaigns led by the government and pro-government media.
But students are shifting voter perception.
"Many anti-Vucic voters voted not for the opposition but against Vucic. In contrast, the student movement is growing a base of pro-student voters," the political scientist said.
Parliamentary elections were last held in December 2023, with the ruling nationalist party claiming victory amid fraud allegations dismissed by Vucic.
The united opposition won 23.5 percent of the vote.
Protests have since prompted the prime minister's resignation and the government's fall.
A new government, led by a political novice and medical doctor, was elected by parliament in mid-April.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Bawaba
11-06-2025
- Al Bawaba
Following LA, Texas to deploy National Guard amid protests
ALBAWABA - More protests erupted in Chicago and Texas following Los Angeles, California, which has been facing days of unrest in protest of the federal immigration raids requested by US President Donald Trump. Texas's governor announced that he will deploy the National Guard to 'maintain order' amid protests which erupted against federal immigration raids. "Texas National Guard will be deployed to locations across the state to ensure peace & order. Peaceful protest is legal. Harming a person or property is illegal & will lead to arrest," Governor Greg Abbott posted on X. He added: "@TexasGuard will use every tool & strategy to help law enforcement maintain order." Police enforced a curfew and began to arrest protesters who broke it after mayor Karen Bass declared a local emergency on the fifth day of protests. Protests in LA began on June 7, with rioters setting cars ablaze, throwing rocks at police cars and fireworks at policemen. They also crashed the windows of the LAPD's headquarters and looted stores. Local media confirmed that while hundreds of anti-ICE protesters gathered in Downtown Chicago on Tuesday, a car rammed through demonstrators around 6:15 p.m. US President Donald Trump sent 700 Marines to Los Angeles in addition to an extra 2,000 National Guard troops to control the situation amid ongoing protests, which erupted against federal immigration raids.
Al Bawaba
10-06-2025
- Al Bawaba
Trump deploys 700 Marines, additional 2,000 National Guard in Los Angeles
ALBAWABA - US President Donald Trump sent 700 Marines to Los Angeles in addition to an extra 2,000 National Guard troops to control the situation amid ongoing protests, which erupted against federal immigration raids. Also Read Trump to deploy 500 Marines in Los Angeles to stop protest Earlier, the Associated Press revealed that an initial 2,000 Guard soldiers were sent by the US president to LA, and they began arriving Sunday, which saw the most violent day during three days of protests driven by anger over Trump's stepped-up enforcement of immigration laws that critics say are breaking apart migrant families. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told ABC News on L. A. protests, "You know, one of our core principles is maintaining peace through strength. We do that on foreign affairs and domestic affairs as well. I don't think that's heavy-handed." United States Northern Command Confirms 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines Are Preparing to Deploy to Los Angeles, California To Anti ICE Riots. Additional 2,000 More National Guard Troops Coming. MIC DROP, Trump & Hegseth. Impeach Gavin. Deport. L.A. Police Look Armed Now. Arrest All!🔥 — Sputnik (@VasBroughtToX) June 10, 2025 Bernie Sanders wrote on X regarding the chaos in the city: "Dr. King defeated racist government officials & ended segregation through disciplined non-violent resistance Defeating Trumpism, oligarchy & authoritarianism requires that same level of discipline. Violent protests are counterproductive and play right into Trump's playbook." Hegseth threatened on Sunday to deploy Marines alongside the National Guard, which President Donald Trump had ordered to be deployed after signing a memorandum giving the Secretary of Defense the authority to "employ any members of the Armed Forces as necessary to reinforce, support, and protect federal property in any number he deems appropriate in his discretion." The memo also showed that the administration seeks to deploy at least 2,000 National Guard members for 60 days or a period determined by Hegseth. "The National Guard, and Marines if need be, stand with ICE," Hegseth said in a post on X on Sunday. Via Truth Social, Donald Trump posted about the Los Angeles protesters, describing them as "troublemakers and insurrectionists." He said, "These are not protesters, they are troublemakers and insurrectionists."
Al Bawaba
09-06-2025
- Al Bawaba
Video: Activist punches 3 cops and flees during Los Angeles protests
Published June 9th, 2025 - 08:51 GMT ALBAWABA - As the ongoing protests against Trump's immigration policy wreak havoc across Los Angeles for the third day, a political activist went viral after a clip captured him punching three police officers before fleeing the scene. The police officers tried to detain the activist, but they were instead met with several punches to the face, causing visible shock, which further prevented them from pursuing him after he fled the scene. The clip flooded social media and sparked a wide variety of reactions across several platforms. Several social media users criticized and mocked the police officers for failing to detain the man. A user wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), "That's just embarrassing, three police officers got beaten by a fat drunk." Another added, "I will never applaud a guy who punches a woman. They should have tased him." Video: Activist slaps 3 cops and flees during Los Angeles protests 👮1 guy pins down 3 cops 🇺🇸A local political activist is trying to express his viewpoint and disagreement with Trump's immigration policy. — NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 9, 2025 According to the BBC, several vehicles were set on fire, a British photographer was hospitalized after being shot with a sponge bullet, and an Australian reporter was shot with a non-lethal weapon while reporting the ongoing Los Angeles protests. Additionally, reports indicated that there have been several looting incidents. In response to the protests, US President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops, defying the wishes of California Governor Gavin Newsom. Trump also claimed that he would deploy the Marine Corps to neutralize the situation at hand, deeming it a rebellion against the federal government. A protester faces off with a Sheriff deputy amid clashes with law enforcement in the streets surrounding the federal building during a protest following federal immigration operations in Los Angeles, California, on June 8, 2025. (Photo by RINGO CHIU / AFP) Los Angeles Police Captain Raul Jovel told reporters that they are making more arrests due to "anti-ICE" protesters clashing with the police. This all comes after the US witnessed the mass deportation of illegal immigrants without official documents as part of Trump's pledge to deport them and lock the US-Mexico border. According to Al Jazeera, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was set a goal by the government to arrest at least 3,000 illegal immigrants a day. However, legal American citizens were also targeted, which led to legal difficulties. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
