site.btaStudent Candidate List for Upcoming Parliamentary Elections in Serbia Formed - University Professor

Professor Jovo Bakic from the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade stated that, “as far as he knows”, the student candidate list for the upcoming parliamentary elections has been formed, according to the regional television channel N1.

Bakic believes that the time has come to publicly announce the names of at least a dozen of the candidates.

The Professor, who actively supports the protests, has put forward the idea of forming two opposition lists – one backed by the students and another supported by the opposition parties.

According to Bakic, this could be “a good solution, which would mean there would be no mutual attacks between the candidates,” and citizens who want change would be able to vote for the names on either list.

Some months ago, the students announced their demand for snap parliamentary elections and stated that they would support a list made up of individuals who enjoy public trust and have not previously taken part in the country’s political life.

“If the regime wins – and I’m convinced it won’t – we will simply lose the ability to exist, both as a society and as individuals. We will be faced with a choice: either leave the country or become slaves to organised crime,” Bakic noted.

A few days ago, Professor Biljana Stojkovic from the Faculty of Biology expressed the view that she believes the student movement is the only force capable of defeating the government in the next elections, adding that it is very important for Europe to recognise and support this movement.

“Talks are already underway. This means that people have already been chosen. News reports have also mentioned that Rector Djokic (Professor Vladan Djokic, Rector of the University of Belgrade) has already been invited to take part in various bodies that are important for shaping certain policies. This is an important moment to acknowledge that certain individuals – or rather, the entire student movement – can be legitimate participants in future discussions and negotiations,” Professor Stojkovic told N1.

She further stated that the student list would include individuals who may become politicians, but that it is essential that they are first and foremost respected professionals with good reputations, who will become important players in shaping future policy.

Professor Stojkovic, who has taken part in the anti-government protests from the beginning, also believes that it is still too early to make the names on the student list public, given that no date has yet been set for the parliamentary elections.