The European Democratic Party has strongly condemned the recent police intervention against students at the Medical Faculty in Belgrade, Serbia, following student parliamentary elections.
In a statement published on social media, the party questioned whether the incident reflects the type of “dialogue” Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has promoted, while also renewing its call for him to engage in a public debate with the party’s Secretary General, Sandro Gozi.
Referring to the overnight police operation at the Medical Faculty, the European Democrats said the European tradition is based on the confrontation of ideas rather than the use of force.
“When police enter a university and attack students, something deeper is broken. In Belgrade, the images show repression where dialogue should prevail. Vučić, is this the debate you want? Batons on the streets instead of arguments on stage,” the party stated.
Accompanied by an image of Vučić with the caption “Is this your dialogue, Vučić?”, the party urged him to participate in an open debate with Gozi “if he has answers,” stressing that democracy does not mean imposed silence but rather voices being heard.
In a separate message, the European Democratic Party expressed support for peaceful protests in Serbia and welcomed a pro-European gathering scheduled to take place in Belgrade the following day under the slogan “For a European Serbia, for Serbia in the EU.”
The event is expected to bring together participants in support of Serbia’s European future, emphasizing the importance of rule of law, freedoms, and opportunities associated with EU integration.
According to organizers, young European federalists (JEF) will hold a congress in Belgrade, with participants set to underline that Serbia’s future lies in the European Union and that democracy and fundamental freedoms are non-negotiable.
