In an interview with N1, Vladan Slavković, a local councillor from the Local Front (LF) in Kraljevo, emphasized the high political stakes surrounding the upcoming student rally scheduled for Vidovdan (June 28, 2026). Slavković noted that the rally, organized under the banner “Sve se vidi na Vidovdan” (Everything is Seen on Vidovdan), represents a pivotal moment for the “Students in Opposition” (Studenti u blokadi) movement to define their stance on the future of Kosovo and Metohiju, while distancing themselves from the ruling regime.
The choice of Kraljevo is deeply symbolic, as the city is home to roughly 30,000 displaced persons from Kosovo, making the historical and emotional resonance of Vidovdan particularly intense for the local population.
Redefining the Kosovo Narrative
Slavković criticized the “hypocritical” position of both the ruling party and segments of the parliamentary opposition. While legally adhering to the Constitution on paper, he argued that mainstream political actors avoid admitting the reality of Kosovo’s factual independence to the public.
According to Slavković, the student movement is attempting to navigate a complex emotional landscape, reclaiming patriotic symbols while simultaneously rejecting the legacy of 1990s war-time politics:
Vladan Slavković: “The students haven’t just taken over Vidovdan; they’ve taken over a narrative that concerns all of us. I assume they will likely send a message this time—yes, Kosovo is our soul, heart, and an integral part of Serbia, but in the future, a clear departure from Vučić’s policy will emerge, leading toward an acceptance of reality.”
Internal Warfare and Power Struggles Within the SNS
Beyond national politics, Slavković exposed a severe internal conflict paralyzing the local government in Kraljevo. He questioned who is actually running the city, pointing to a recent purge within the local branch of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS):
- Local Purges: Predrag Terzić was removed from his position as head of the local SNS board, yet he remains the city’s mayor. Concurrently, Đorđe Vidović (Secretary of the City Board) and Vladimir Baralić (Local Board Coordinator) were dismissed.
- The Power Rifts: Slavković detailed that the current power struggle is being fought between the SNS Executive Board leadership—specifically naming Branko Malović and Darko Glišić—and the powerful, sanctioned faction linked to Milan Radoičić.
Radoičić’s Shadow Over Kraljevo’s State Institutions
A significant portion of the internal friction stems from the influx of individuals linked to the former leadership of the Serb List (Srpska lista) who can no longer remain in Kosovo and have relocated to Kraljevo.
Slavković highlighted the alarming level of institutional capture by highlighting a recent high-profile family event hosted by Milan Radoičić in the city:
Vladan Slavković: “I haven’t seen Radoičić myself, but I know he is here; he recently celebrated his son’s wedding. It was incredibly striking and ugly that Kraljevo’s police and municipal services were effectively put at the service of the wedding guests. This speaks volumes about the immense power he wields over official state services.”
According to the local councillor, this dynamic has created an environment of lawlessness (bezvlašće) in Kraljevo, where one’s informal rank and faction within the ruling party carries significantly more weight than democratically elected city positions.
The Upcoming Vidovdan March
The student rally comes amid heightened political activity across Serbia ahead of expected snap parliamentary elections. While the SNS has scheduled a major counter-gathering in Belgrade just a day prior, the student movement is pushing ahead with a decentralized show of force.
| Date | Movement / Milestone | Route / Details |
| June 27, 2026 | The Vidovdan March | Students from the University of Kragujevac and supporting citizens will launch a 60-kilometer march on foot, trekking across two days to reach Kraljevo. |
| June 28, 2026 | Main Demonstration | The primary protest rally will commence at 18:00 at the Square of Serbian Warriors (Trg srpskih ratnika) in downtown Kraljevo. |
The organizers have stated that the event will also feature an exhibition and fair where funds will be collected for children living in Kosovo and Metohija, alongside registration drives for independent election monitors.
