The student organization "Medical Circle" was founded in December 2021, apparently as an organization with a good goal, but as it turned out in the end, it serves as a means of political action of the Ministry of Health through students. Behind the attempts to solve public health problems, organize educational forums and enable students to attend medical congresses, the activities of the Serbian Progressive Party are allegedly hidden. Members of the "Medical Circle" skillfully hid their goals, even participated in organizing student protests, but over time the truth came out. In September 2025, after the session of the Faculty Council at which the dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Belgrade was illegally dismissed, a vote of no confidence was passed in the student parliament, as well as barring them from all their future actions.
The Student Initiative for Academic Connection, Solidarity and Action (SINAPSA) was created with the idea of achieving the democratic action of students in faculty bodies and the decisions that are made. The initiators are students involved in the Student Movement, eager to change the dysfunctional work of the student parliament of the Faculty of Medicine.
The work of the student parliament was conceived as an indirect, that is, representative democracy, so that the winning organization gets all the mandates and appoints five student representatives every year. However, in practice, representatives made all decisions and participated in faculty bodies on their own and in their personal interest, without any consultation with students. The only form of communication was notifications in whatsapp groups about decisions made regarding deadlines and colloquiums.
On the other hand, the students involved in the student movement practiced direct democracy from the beginning, where everyone present, individually, had the right to discussion and voice and participated in decision-making.
Students involved in the student movement saw the need to create a legitimate organization that would be involved in the work of the faculty, listen to and convey the demands, needs and attitudes of the majority of students, not just individuals in positions. The first meetings were organized at the beginning of 2026, where possible ways of functioning of the organization, legal aspects of existence and membership were discussed. SINAPSA still works today through meetings, where all interested students are welcome and where everyone raises questions and problems, after which they discuss and vote for the decision of the majority, which the representatives would convey to the faculty bodies. Therefore, the representatives would only be "postmen", while the decisions would really reflect the attitudes of the students.
Students liked this idea, which can be concluded from the increasing attendance at SYNAPSE meetings. Students showed special interest before the elections for the student parliament.
Despite the very short deadlines and the non-transparent announcement of elections,
SINAPSA was successfully registered as a list for the student parliament. SINAPSA received the greatest support during the elections themselves, when the turnout was by far the highest compared to the previous elections - more than 2000 students and when the majority of votes were in favor of SINAPSA. The desire for change and sympathies for SYNAPSA so upset the current representatives of the student parliament, members of the "Medical Circle" sympathetic to SNS that they decided on the shameful act of election theft.
The support of SYNAPSI students did not wane even after that, as they decided to defend their electoral will at rallies in front of the Dean's Office after the election.
THE DAY AFTER
"After the stormy night between April 16 and 17, many students began to spontaneously gather around 10 o'clock in the morning in front of the Dean's office building," one of the students of the Faculty of Medicine told "Vreme". "Not long after, we receive information that the educational inspection is arriving at the invitation of the Minister of (Pre)Education. At that moment, with a few hours of sleep behind us, we invite all students and professors to gather in front of the Dean's building and to see off the situation inside together. After the several-hour meeting, the educational inspection leaves, and in the meantime we file the only valid minutes with the signatures of the presidents of both organizations in the office.
In the late afternoon, the preliminary results of the Electoral Commission come out without the signatures of the members and the seal of the institution, and we compile announcements about the events of the previous 24 hours and over the weekend we devise further steps and act through the media.
On Monday, April 20, from 1:00 p.m., we will again gather in large numbers in front of Dr. Subotica 8 in order to submit an appeal to the preliminary results of the Election Commission together. As the rulebook drawn up by the members of the 'Medical Circle' can be interpreted in several ways, we initially expected a response to the appeal by 6 p.m. because that is 24 hours from the moment the preliminary results were announced. A little before 6:00 p.m., it was agreed at the meeting that we would gather the next day at 9:00 a.m. in order to witness the decision of the Election Commission and submit another appeal to the election process. We are here again in large numbers, it was agreed that we will stay in front, but also in the Dean's Office until the decision itself, very likely after - because we expected a negative answer.
Soon the expectation turned out to be true even after a long and painful meeting of our representatives with the acting dean prof. Vladimir Trajković, it was decided to block the Dean's Office because he could not guarantee us a legal and fair solution to this situation, and the members of the Election Commission did not have the nerve to appear at the place where they committed the theft. With the great support of colleagues from other faculties and citizens, and with the significant presence of the media, the blockade of the Dean's Office came into force. A little before 20 p.m., our colleagues who were inside receive information that if they stay inside after 20 p.m., disciplinary and criminal proceedings will be initiated against them. For this reason, the blockade of the Dean's Office is terminated, the protest is moved to the Boulevard of Liberation, and a new meeting is scheduled by the professors for Wednesday at 13 p.m.
Thanks to our professors, optimism and enthusiasm were maintained at that meeting and a meeting was arranged with the representatives of both organizations, vice dean prof. Živaljević, acting dean prof. Trajković and independent professors who were chosen as representatives at that moment. Waiting for Friday and the confirmation of all invited members, the SINAPSA organization, with the help of professors and lawyers, is preparing criminal reports and lawsuits.
Professor Živaljević took annual/sick leave and announced that he will be replaced at the meeting by the vice-dean prof. Milena Todorović Balint, who initially confirmed her arrival, only to cancel it a few hours before the meeting itself. V. d. Dean Professor Trajković tried to get in touch with the president of the organization 'Medical Circle', but she did not answer. On Friday, at 14 p.m., only the representative of SINAPSA, the acting dean and independent professors attended the meeting where the next steps were agreed upon. In the coming period, we are expecting assemblies, and at the faculty, the election for the dean, in addition to the daily demand of responsibility from the members of the Election Commission".
I AM FREED FROM PRESSURE AND BLACKMAIL
Professor Vesna Bjegović Mikanović, one of the two candidates for the future dean, also spoke for "Vreme": "First of all, I want to point out that our student organization has a tradition as long as the Faculty of Medicine itself. That is, for more than a hundred years, and student activities are one of the pillars of the Faculty's life. I am proud of our students who, within numerous sections, manage to carry out professional and scientific activities, publish a scientific magazine, organize sports and humanitarian activities, a choir and much more. during the election process for the Student Parliament should be seen in a wider context: as a direct threat to all the noble activities that our students are involved in during their studies. The question arises as to how it is possible that all the election papers are not printed on the same paper. It is statistically incredible that there are only votes for the "Medical Circle" organization that has been in power in the Student Parliament until now. I believe that time will bring answers to many questions and all employees are obliged to do so insist using available means in accordance with the law, including criminal charges. We are obliged to provide students with an environment that allows them to think, speak and organize freely. That freedom always gives rise to exceptionality, which I have been witnessing with pleasure for decades.
No decision at the Faculty must be made as a result of political pressure or fear of revanchism, that is the principle of autonomy. In this sense, the dismissal of Prof. Dr. Tatjane Simić (removed dean), a decision that we will have to return to and reconsider in the future. Before that, it is necessary that the Faculty be freed from the fear that has increased dramatically after her dismissal. For example, more than 200 regular professors had the right to apply for the current competition for the selection of a dean, and only one candidate applied until the last day of the competition! Such a situation clearly reflects the atmosphere among the employees, and that's why I decided, with the hearty support of my Department, to apply and try to get things moving for the better. Some colleagues complain that my candidacy comes in the year when I should retire. However, this is exactly what frees me from any pressure and blackmail. Together with a team of seven outstanding colleagues, I want to dispel fear, and for honest, hardworking and capable people to connect and recognize each other. Therefore, I look forward to the time when I leave the Faculty in good hands and in an atmosphere of freedom to come as soon as possible. I expect obstructions on all levels, from harassment with anonymous letters full of lies and insults that have been coming to employees for months, to physical intimidation represented by the recent vandalism of the 'Silos' building where I work. I am sure that even Prof. Dr. Milica Bajčetić, full professor at the Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (another candidate for the future dean), is not indifferent and condemns the mentioned pressures during the election process. After all departments have declared our candidacies, the members of the Teaching and Research Council will vote, that is, confirmation by the Faculty Council, which are also spaces for blackmail and manipulation. Regardless of the current elections, I deeply believe in the strength of unity and I am convinced that our team is capable of defending academic integrity".
