Democratic Party announces strike in support of student protests in Serbia

The leader of the Democratic Party (DS), Srgjan Milivojević, stated that the party carefully listened to the students during their protest outside the state television building on Friday evening, which led to the decision to go on strike in the National Assembly, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

Speaking to N1 television, he said that the general strike is the first step toward establishing a transitional government.

The Democratic Party leadership decided on Saturday that its deputies in the National Assembly would go on strike until the students' demands are met. They also called on other opposition parliamentary parties to join them.
“We heard the students' demands during that magnificent protest in front of RTS. You saw how loudly they called for a general strike. I cannot expect educators, professors, and those teaching our sisters, cousins, friends, and my professors to go on strike in schools if we as MPs do not support them. This is support for the students' demands and is crystal clear. It says we will actively participate in blocking the work of the Assembly, and not just that. We must oppose those who generate hatred, incite violence, and provoke street conflicts. We know full well that these people will not back down," he said, adding that the regime has no intention of fulfilling the students' demands.

He emphasized that the general strike is only the first step toward forming a transitional government and expressed confidence that many opposition parliamentary groups would join the Assembly strike.
“A transitional government is just a tool to create a normal life in this country,” he said.

Milivojević expressed concern that Vučić is ready to provoke incidents.

“Aleksandar Vučić is prepared to provoke incidents at universities and to compromise the student protests. I warn the regime not to provoke these young people and not to try to save its failed ratings by shifting the crisis to Kosovo or the region. Let him continue negotiating with the countries he is currently talking to about asylum. That should be his primary activity,” said Milivojević, adding that he is convinced Vučić is “resigning in a manner similar to Bashar al-Assad.”