As the March 15th protest in Belgrade approaches, Western embassies have urged the Serbian government to ensure the safety of participants, while the European Parliament warned that any repression could jeopardize Serbia’s European integration. Meanwhile, Russia has called for restraint and dialogue to resolve the situation.
In the lead-up to the protest, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has repeatedly claimed that violent clashes are likely, alleging that demonstrators plan to attack the police and attempt a violent occupation of the National Assembly. However, student protests thus far have been peaceful, with organizers emphasizing their commitment to non-violence and urging participants to maintain dignified conduct.
International reactions to the ongoing student protests and marches across Serbia have been largely subdued, with little commentary from the global community so far. As tensions rise and the number of new residents in Pionirski Park—located near the Serbian Presidency—increases, signaling a counterbalance to the protests, calls for peace have begun to emerge.
Although the president claims that the gathering is a spontaneous assembly of students who wish to study and have come to camp there in protest, this explanation is met with skepticism by the wider public.
The protesters have been joined by older citizens, as well as members of the infamous, disbanded paramilitary unit, the Red Berets, whose members were involved in numerous crimes during the 1990s, including the assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić.
Western Ambassadors Urge Government to Protect Protestors
According to Nova.rs, representatives from Western embassies have sent a message to President Vučić and the Serbian leadership, calling for the protection of protestors scheduled to gather on March 15th.
The ambassadors stressed that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure the safety of participants and to guarantee their freedom of movement. They also highlighted the importance of preventing clashes during the protest, especially in light of rising societal tensions in recent days.
Russia Calls for Restraint and Dialogue
In a related development, Russia has called for restraint from all political actors in Serbia, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova urging all parties involved in the current events to avoid actions driven by emotion. She emphasized the importance of normalizing the situation through dialogue.
“We once again call for restraint from all political forces involved in the current situation in Serbia. We expect a prompt normalization of the situation through dialogue,” Zakharova stated, according to Sputnik Serbia. She also warned that impulsive decisions could come at a high cost. “It is crucial to understand the high price that could come from thoughtless, emotion-driven actions,” she added, was reported by Sputnjik Serbia.
European Parliament Warns of Consequences for Serbia’s EU Integration
Meanwhile, the European Parliament has sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging a clear message to Serbia’s authorities that any repression of peaceful protests could have consequences for the country’s EU integration.
Slovenian MEP Irena Joveva shared the letter on social media, drawing attention to the European Parliament’s concerns. The letter stresses that, as an EU candidate, Serbia must uphold democratic principles, and the government’s response to the protests will serve as a test of its commitment to these standards.
As the situation in Serbia continues to develop, international calls for peace and restraint grow louder, with both Western and Russian officials urging dialogue to prevent further escalation.
Meanwhile, the President of Serbia met with the „students 2.0“ in front of the cameras, urging them to withdraw from the camp in the park, allegedly for their own safety. At the same time, he once again used harsh words and accusations, labeling the protest participants as enemies of Serbia.
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