"It's one thing when you organize protests, and secondly when you are preparing for the elections"said one of the guests from Belgrade in a conversation with representatives of the German civil and government sector, as well as the media, which was organized by the Science and Politics Foundation (SWP) in Berlin on Tuesday, February 24.
Those present at the "informational exchange with representatives of the Serbian student movement", as stated on the invitation, wanted to find out from the guests from Serbia what the current situation is with the protests, especially in light of the next elections.
Let's defend the universities14Student protest in May 2025 in Belgrade / Photo: Aleksandar Barda/FoNet
"Foreign Policy Team"
More than half a year has passed since the last such exchange of information with representatives of the student movement, and during that time, as was said, a lot has changed.
"There have been changes in the organization that have led to the strengthening of structures," said one guest from Belgrade, who, as announced by the Science and Politics Foundation, is part of the "foreign policy team" of the student movement.
The energy is now focused on the preparations for the elections, which - the guests from Serbia are convinced - although there was a possibility, they will not be held this year, but next year.
"When we saw that the protests would not lead to the desired results, i.e. taking over the responsibility of the political structures, we started working on the organization of the elections," said representatives of the student movement.
These preparations, in addition to drawing up election lists, also include writing the election program.
"Satanization of Sandzak residents"
The representatives of the student movement who arrived in Berlin from Belgrade, Niš and Novi Pazar were particularly keen to assure the gathered that the movement was not taken over by nationalists, as was often suggested in recent months in certain media.
One representative of the students from Novi Pazar explained that the movement succeeded in integrating all nationalities, especially Bosniak. This, it was heard, "was important as a response to the authorities' attempt to demonize Bosniaks from Sandžak."
Novi_Pazar_accommodation_61Students of the State University from Novi Pazar walk through Serbia, October 29, 2025 / Photo: Zoran Mrdja/FoNet
At the same time, it was said that the movement is trying to integrate all forces in society, but it is "completely wrong" to attach a nationalist image to it. In order to reject such grades, the student list includes an "appropriate number" of candidates who declare themselves as Bosniaks.
And when it comes to people within the movement who use national symbols and narratives, student representatives in Berlin spoke of "integrative patriotism".
"We certainly won't go to Moscow for advice"
Representatives of German organizations and media were particularly interested in the role of Russia in the current political events in Serbia. One representative of students from Niš said that Russian intelligence services are particularly active in Niš - because of "Russian interests in that city". He pointed to the Russian party operating in that city, as well as the Serbian-Russian humanitarian center.
Speaking about the "non-existent foreign policy of Vučić", the guests from Serbia also pointed to the "non-transparent relations" of the top of the state with China, which mostly revolve around economic interests. "No one knows that Vucic sold everything to China," it was said.
When it comes to their foreign policy guidelines, it was said: "We are in Berlin for the third time. We were in Brussels, but we will certainly not go to Moscow for advice."
Relations with Germany improved
From the very beginning of the student movement, criticisms of Berlin for not doing enough to support the students in their struggle for reforms could be heard at several forums and gatherings in Germany.
"In the meantime, that has completely changed. In Berlin, they realized the importance of our movement, and whenever we are here, we simply don't have enough time to meet with everyone who would like to talk to us," said one representative of the student movement.
Source: Deutsche Welle (DW)
