It will soon be two years since the collapse of the canopy at the Novi Sad railway station that killed 16 people. Shortly after, Serbian students rose up, because no one was held accountable for this tragedy, even though the station had been renovated, and those responsible for the collapse have still not been prosecuted. Serbian students mobilized the entire country and blocked faculties, drawing attention to corruption and the fact that institutions failed to fulfill their duties under the Constitution of Serbia and the laws that should have been applied.
Despite pressure from the current government on the youth, they did not submit in their struggle, and other problems that arose during the rule of the current party surfaced, mostly concerning corruption, disregard for the rule of law, and media darkness. Through their unwavering fight, Serbian students drew the attention of the international community of the European Union, walking and cycling to Strasbourg and Brussels to highlight violations of human rights, corruption, and the suppression of media freedom.
After two years, Serbian students managed to raise awareness, awaken dormant voters, and gain the support of the majority of citizens, leading to parliamentary elections finally being scheduled for October 25. in Serbia. The entire campaign of the ruling party revolves around spin, gaslighting, increasing suppression of media freedom, and targeting the few remaining independent outlets. However, this has not succeeded, as gatherings across Serbia have been artificially staged. The now former president, Aleksandar Vučić, resigned and toured cities in Serbia with one sole purpose – to slander students and their electoral list. The collapse of his campaign is evident in actions such as bussing people from other cities, falsifying crowd numbers, and exerting maximum control by attempting to replace key editors of objective television and media outlets.
Dignity and Culture versus Rampage and Violence
While protests in France, Albania, Italy, and Belgium often turn into destruction of cities, shop windows, burning cars, and public property, Serbian students have for two years organized dignified and cultural actions in Serbia to draw citizens’ attention to existing problems. The organization and diplomatic methods shown by Serbian students are proof that Serbia remains a cradle of cultural behavior, peace, and diplomacy – even on the streets. Students did not allow themselves to be subdued, nor did they allow the current government to gaslight them, despite pressures, illegal use of police force, and other forms of intimidation in which Serbian institutions failed and turned a blind eye.
The students’ campaign consists of raising awareness directly and personally among citizens, which is why they carried out two major actions: one was cycling across Serbia, and the other was walking from city to city. Thus, Serbian students arrived last night in Lazarevac, a Belgrade municipality, and today they headed toward Obrenovac, all in preparation for a major gathering on October 22. in Belgrade, where they invited citizens to assemble once more before voting.
It should be recalled that the ruling party is suspected of corruption in the renovation of the Novi Sad canopy, as well as a series of additional suspicious activities, according to students’ addresses to citizens, dating from the time they came to power. Voters in Serbia were dormant until students initiated resistance, and now, according to estimates, they are gaining majority support, seriously disrupting autocratic rule in Serbia.
As further proof of spin and undemocratic elections, Serbian diaspora has not been provided with polling stations in accordance with the law. The distance to certain polling places ranges up to 1,000 kilometers or more, making it practically impossible for many citizens abroad to exercise their right to vote.
Double Standards of Europe
While the fight for democracy has been ongoing for two years, the European Union has shown divided opinions and double standards regarding the situation in Serbia. Senior EU officials stuck to diplomatic responses, while certain parties were outspoken about the growing problems in the country. These indications have raised questions about the EU’s objectivity, and not only Europe but also certain world leaders have shown that they do not support democratic and fair struggles and truth, but rather autocratic and corrupt rule, which calls their legitimacy into question.
Serbian students compiled a list of experts, professors, and specialists who, according to their statements, should occupy leading positions to ensure the proper functioning of the state. So far, abuse of office has been recorded in state companies, where only sympathizers of the ruling party could get jobs, especially in the Kolubara mining basin, part of Elektroprivreda Srbije. Qualified professionals could not get employment, while party members and loyalists were hired solely due to their affiliation. Testimonies of this abuse and party coercion are numerous, and every attempt at resistance was suppressed until Serbian youth took matters into their own hands.
Serbian students have set an example for the whole world, showing that while protests in Europe are violent and destructive, diplomacy and dignified methods can indeed change the structures of autocratic rule and restore true democracy in the country.
