Vucic: Solution to the Ongoing Crisis Is Dialogue, All Students’ Demands Fulfilled

Aleksandar Vucic (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV)

Nearly two months into the students’ protests and blockades of universities in Serbia, talks and a dialogue were essential, President Aleksandar Vucic told a news conference in the evening on Jan. 27.  

All students’ demands, according to Vucic, have been fulfilled, with the economy now remaining the biggest concern as it is the sector most affected by the ongoing crisis.  

Vucic also said a cabinet reshuffle had been planned, adding he was expecting replacement of half of the sitting ministers. 

„Now that we have fulfilled all students’ demands, the question is whether the striking students will acknowledge that, which I doubt they will. We therefore must start a dialogue. Our state is functioning extremely well, and in order be the second best economy in 2024, and top economy in Europe in 2025, at least by the economic growth rate, we must work together,” Vucic said.

In their first reactions to Vucic’s call for dialogue, the protesting students have said that not all of their demands have been met, adding they will continue blocking faculties, particularly following attacks on their fellow students in Novi Sad in the night between Jan. 27 and 27, when one female student was inflicted serious injuries. 

The attacks have been condemned by the striking students and opposition parties, demanding that those responsible be identified as soon as possible and be held accountable for their actions according to the law.