Serbian Ministry warns against student university blockades

Students at several Serbian faculties, including the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Belgrade, are planning to block academic activities and protest during the upcoming parliamentary elections. Some student groups, organized through so-called plenums, intend to request that the University of Belgrade suspend classes until the elections are concluded, potentially lasting until October 25.

The Ministry of Education has responded by declaring such blockades and the use of plenums as central decision-making bodies within higher education institutions to be illegal. Minister Dejan Vuk Stanković stated that any attempt to usurp the authority of rectors or deans to facilitate political activities would be met with legal action and inspections. The Ministry emphasized that political engagement by members of the academic community should not disrupt the academic year or the right to education, asserting that the school year will proceed as scheduled on October 1.