Serbian Professor: Student Movement's Energy Unwavering, Government Delays Elections as Proof

Student enthusiasm and energy have not waned, and the government's delay in holding elections is the best proof, according to Dalibor Petrović, a professor at the University of Belgrade's Faculty of Economics.

Petrović described the events of the past year and a half as a "feat," noting that Serbian society had been "tired and killed" before students began to "wake people up." He emphasized that significant change does not require immense effort. "Fighting for normalcy" is what the students are doing, he stated.

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Fighting for normalcy is what the students are doing.

"To engage in politics and have the idea that you can possibly politically defeat such a regime is a feat," Petrović said. "Everything we see that has happened in the past year and a half is a feat. We were a tired, killed society, a society without hope that change was possible, that the worst among us had seized key institutions and that somehow – there is no salvation for us if we want to change, in fact, in this society, if we want to accept the course that the group leading this country has intended. Therefore, we must first express a kind of 'loyalty.' Professionalism is not important here. We see that now. Therefore, citizens have woken up. That is clear to us," Petrović added.

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To engage in politics and have the idea that you can possibly politically defeat such a regime is a feat.

He observed that the protests have led to "cathartic outbursts of great emotions" due to the feeling that things can change. "When you see young people putting themselves at the forefront of any process, whatever it may be, you naturally have to support them, especially when you clearly recognize that they are on the right side," he said. Petrović noted that students have learned through this process, and citizens who supported them have also learned from them. The student revolt has evolved into a civic movement.

"It is not political in the sense that it has clear goals, clear ideology, and similar things, but it is an expression of a will for things to change," he explained. "As time passes, we see that the enthusiasm is not decreasing. The numbers may decrease – in accordance with certain time and other conditions. People are simply living their normal lives. You cannot expect for a year and a half, especially in a society where we protested 30, 40 years ago, to constantly be on the streets," the professor said, recalling a student action from December.

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We were a tired, killed society, a society without hope that change was possible, that the worst among us had seized key institutions and that somehow – there is no salvation for us if we want to change, in fact, in this society, if we want to accept the course that the group leading this country has intended.

He pointed out that when support for the students was needed, 400,000 people came forward to provide their personal information "in a society where fear and self-censorship prevailed." Petrović concluded, "Things are not and will not be the same in this society anymore. This does not mean that they will necessarily be better or easier. We are at a kind of turning point. This process will have different phases, and these phases will be difficult, because those who lead the country have realized that the state is their private property and that life without the control of the state apparatus and institutions is not possible. It is probably not possible for most of them, because they did not have careers, any reputation, or knowledge before that." He believes Serbia is on the verge of change, a process that will take time.

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Therefore, citizens have woken up. That is clear to us.