Protest at Autokomanda; Photo: Mašina

Students from eight faculties and three colleges in Novi Sad, two faculties in Subotica, and two faculties from Sombor and Zrenjanina have advocated for an expert government. The statement and response from students to the question “What next?”, which details their position regarding an expert government, has been signed by students blockading five higher education institutions from Novi Sad and Zrenjanin.

“As we have been characterised as the largest political force in the country over these four months, we feel a moral responsibility to speak out on the topic of the socio-political crisis in the country,” the students stated.

The essence of the student demands, as they emphasise, has been recognised by government representatives, which is clear from the fact that for four months the same demands remain unfulfilled, either due to incompetence or lack of political will, they point out.

“As the solution to exit the social crisis is the fulfilment of student demands, it is necessary for Serbia to have a government that can meet these demands. Therefore, we come to the conclusion that the only possible solution is an expert government. Since students have from the beginning demanded systemic changes and insisted on non-partisan affiliation, we believe that a government composed of independent experts represents the most suitable solution to the current political crisis,” the students announced.

Students blockading the University of Niš hold the same view, according to Južne vesti.

“An expert government represents a form of executive power made up of experts, people with proven knowledge, experience, moral and social integrity. We want those whom students would propose, and citizens would accept. People whose integrity, knowledge and public work stand behind them, not party membership cards,” stated the students blockading the University of Niš.

“Using students as stepping stones to political positions”

Students blockading the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade issued a statement at the same time opposing the call for a “government of experts.” As the plenum of this faculty believes, any proclamation about an expert government before unifying student demands can only further neglect and trivialise them, as it effectively chooses a political option whose main task is unclear.

They warned that within the student movement at the national level, there has not been intensive political debate about the option of an expert government, but rather, as they added, this option was often pushed behind the scenes, through backdoor secret meetings and closed public discussions.

“Students have repeatedly pointed out that they are interested in fulfilling demands and do not want any cooperation with the opposition and activist organisations, and that they want independence for the student movement and will not allow its manipulation by those who want to grab political positions at the students’ expense,” states the announcement from the Faculty of Philosophy plenum.

The Faculty of Philosophy plenum also highlighted the ideological colouring of the term “expert”, noting that there is no legal act, document, or text that gives someone this title. According to the Faculty of Philosophy plenum, expertise is a label that serves more to neutralise criticism from others and less to indicate genuine knowledge and skill in a field.

Let us also recall the statement from the Faculty of Philology plenum from 8 March, in which they unequivocally distanced themselves from any decision or position regarding the formation of a government.

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