Members of the academic community in Belgrade, gathered under the initiative of the Rebel University, are protesting for the tenth day in front of the Government of Serbia. The protests demand that the government disband the working group responsible for drafting the new higher education law, repeal the amended regulation on university work standards, and adopt budget quotas for faculty admissions by the end of June at the latest. The government has annulled the working group’s conclusion, but protesters insist on fulfilling all demands and will not relent until this happens. Professors and students actively participate in blocking the intersection of Nemanjina and Kneza Miloša streets, with students from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering preparing warm sandwiches for the protesters.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the grassroots nature of the protests, highlighting the unity between professors and students and framing the movement as a fight for accessible, quality education and democratic participation in educational reforms. They criticize the government for ignoring academic voices and stress the importance of public funding and transparency.
Center: Centrist sources report the protests factually, focusing on the demands of the academic community and the government’s response. They present both sides, noting the government’s annulment of the working group’s conclusion and the protesters’ insistence on their demands, without strong editorializing. The emphasis is on the ongoing dialogue and the impact on public order.
Right: Right-leaning media may frame the protests as disruptive to public order and governance, emphasizing the blockade of key intersections and potential economic impacts. They might question the legitimacy or practicality of the protesters’ demands, stressing the government’s efforts to reform education and maintain stability.