In Belgrade, a protest by the academic community called “Faculties Crossroads” took place. The protest began with a symbolic sixteen-minute silence in front of the Government of Serbia, and due to traffic blockades and the setting up of tents at the intersection of Kneza Miloša and Nemanjina streets, a traffic collapse occurred in the city center. Professors and students gathered demand the dissolution of the working group preparing a new education law, the repeal of illegal amendments to the university work standards regulation, and the adoption of budget quotas for student enrollment by the end of June. The protest is peaceful, with organizers announcing panels and speeches during the evening program. Representatives of the “Rebel University” initiative emphasized that the struggle of university teachers is a struggle for the whole society.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the protest as a fight for academic freedom, transparency, and against the commercialization and managerial control of universities. They highlight the demands for inclusive public debate and protection of university autonomy as crucial for preserving critical thinking and quality education.
Center: Center-leaning sources report the protest focusing on the logistical impact such as traffic disruptions and the peaceful nature of the protest. They present the demands factually, emphasizing the call for legal and administrative changes in education policy and the involvement of the academic community in dialogue with the government.
Right: Right-leaning perspectives may focus on the disruption caused by the protest and question the feasibility of the demands. They might emphasize the need for order and criticize the protest for blocking traffic and causing inconvenience, while possibly supporting reforms aimed at efficiency and managerial oversight in education.