Gozi: Europe must stand with Serbia’s students

Reports from Belgrade point to new attempts to provoke violence and undermine the credibility of Serbia’s student movement. Tensions are growing around the peaceful democratic mobilisation that has spread across the country.

On 29 October 2026, the European Democratic Party expressed its full support for the students. “Attempts to provoke violence and discredit Serbia’s student movement are unacceptable. Peaceful democratic mobilisation must never be met with intimidation or manipulation,” said EDP Secretary General Sandro Gozi.

A movement for accountability

The student mobilisation began after the collapse of the railway station canopy in Novi Sad in November 2024. It has since become one of the largest civic movements in Serbia’s recent history. Its demands are transparency, accountability, media freedom and respect for the rule of law. These are the same principles at the heart of the European project.

“The European Democratic Party stands firmly with the students and all those peacefully defending democracy, accountability, media freedom and the rule of law,” Gozi said.

The responsibility of the authorities

The EDP Secretary General said that responsibility for keeping the situation calm lies with those in power: “Violence and intimidation have no place in a democratic society. The Serbian authorities have a responsibility to prevent escalation, guarantee fundamental freedoms and respect the legitimate aspirations of their citizens.”

Serbia’s European future

Serbia is a candidate for EU membership, and the EDP has consistently argued that enlargement must rest on democratic standards. For the party, the way the authorities respond to peaceful protest is a test of the country’s European path.