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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Government invites deans of all faculties, students for talks

Belgrade, 27 January 2025

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić said in his address to citizens this evening that due to the situation that arose after the canopy collapse in Novi Sad, when 15 people died, it is important to start discussing issues, because this state of affairs in society does not suit anyone.

Speaking at an extraordinary news conference together with Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and Speaker of the National Assembly Ana Brnabić, Vučić pointed out that almost 90 days have passed since the tragedy at the Novi Sad Main Railway Station and that the Prosecutor’s Office has issued 13 indictments against those responsible.

He said that there are four student demands, the first of which is to publish the complete documentation regarding the canopy collapse, which has been fully met.

Vučić stated that he examined all the demands, including the 24 points within the first demand, and concluded that all points have been met and that all documentation has been submitted.

The President then spoke about the second student demand, which calls for relevant authorities to confirm the identity of all persons for whom there is a reasonable doubt that they physically attacked students and professors, to initiate criminal proceedings against them, as well as to dismiss such persons if it turns out that they are public officials.

He specified that public prosecutor’s offices in the territory of Serbia have urgently initiated criminal proceedings against 37 persons for attacks on students and professors, namely against 26 persons in Belgrade, against eight persons in Novi Sad, two in Šabac and one in Vršac.

As he pointed out, these are the proceedings that have already been initiated, stating that these proceedings cover everything that was known to the public and for which criminal charges were filed.

Vučić also noted that, as far as public officials are concerned, there was only one disputed case in New Belgrade, and expressed his belief that this has already been dealt with.

When it comes to the third demand, he said that charges have been pressed against 13 students and professors during the recent events.

Pointing out that he has not made any decisions on pardons so far, the President stressed that, if there were no other solution, he would be ready to sign a decision on pardoning these persons from criminal prosecution, announcing that he will do so on Wednesday.

Speaking about the fourth student demand, which relates to a 20% increase in the budget for higher education, which was also met, Vučić emphasised that, in addition to the planned RSD 60.5 billion, the increase will cost the state another RSD 12.01 billion.

Prime Minister Vučević invited all deans, rectors, university professors and student representatives to come to the government so that they could discuss whenever they wish all the topics they have nominated as key, as well as those they consider important for the entire community.

I invite them all to come and talk, to go through all the demands together, to see that we have approached them responsibly and conscientiously and have absolutely fulfilled them, he stated and said that the doors of the Serbian government are open.

He called on all professors and deans to work together on preparing for the resumption of studies and bringing students back to their desks, to return to their main job.

Brnabić announced that tomorrow at 10 a.m. she will hold a meeting with all deputy speakers of the National Assembly and heads of parliamentary groups who respond to the invitation for the meeting, in order to discuss how the session, which will begin on 29 January at 10 a.m., will proceed.

I expect a heated debate, but the parliament is a place for dialogue, for confronting different positions and proposing different policies and visions for the development of Serbia. I am open to all discussions, she concluded.