Vucic urges protesters to avoid ‘madness’ of violent unrest

Resorting to violence would be a life-changing mistake, the Serbian president has warned

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has warned against violence as the country braces for a new round of student-led protests after eight months of rallies, sparked by the deadly collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station.

Mass demonstrations are anticipated in the Balkan state as the deadline for an ultimatum issued by students to the government approaches. They are demanding the dissolution of parliament, which would open the way to snap elections. They said they expect an announcement by 9pm Saturday.

“Should the stated demands not be met within the given timeframe, we expect that the citizens of Serbia will be ready to take all available measures of civil disobedience to protect their basic right to a free and legitimate democratic system,” the students wrote in an open letter to the government.

Speaking to Tanjug news agency on Saturday, Vucic signaled that the government will not heed the demands but expressed readiness to “hear out” the protesters. The president urged all parties to show restraint, stating that preserving “everyone, especially the young people,” is his ultimate goal. 

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“In the evening you will see angry people. Some will resort to violence because they have no other choice. Unfortunately. I... ask them not to do this. It is always better to retreat at some point than to commit madness that you will regret for the rest of your life,” Vucic said.

The new round of unrest comes eight months after the collapse of the canopy in Novi Sad in November 2024, which killed 16 people. Demonstrators have demanded political and criminal accountability for the incident. Students have spearheaded the protest drive, leading to tensions between the government and universities. The government has refused to pay professors in full for the period in which classes were halted due to student blockades.

The upcoming protests also coincide with Vidovdan, Serbia’s main national and religious holiday, celebrated on June 28. Vucic has urged protesters to “preserve” the holiday and not mar it with violence.