General Zdravko Ponos, president of the Serbia Centre (SRCE), stated that judging by its rhetoric and actions, the ruling government appears unbothered by the ongoing blockade of public universities, as it benefits from escalating divisions in society.

“They’re fine with this situation if their goal is to dismantle disobedient state universities—and it seems that it is. They’re even pleased to see the growing lack of dialogue between professors and students, which is clearly becoming a serious issue. Expecting a rational move from this government is irrational,” Ponos said in an interview with Danas.

He pointed out that the government seems unfazed by things that would typically shame a normal administration—open conflict with academia, threatening professors’ livelihoods, and launching media campaigns against students.

“Managing internal conflicts is their favorite method of governing. They eagerly await the moment when parents’ concerns about uncertain university admissions turn into anger, so they can conveniently point to a scapegoat. All of this suggests the government may not be interested in resolving the blockade or calling early elections. They believe the process is gradually weakening all actors, including themselves, but that their starting advantage and vast resources will leave them more powerful than anyone else in the end,” he said.

According to Ponos, the regime’s only concern is to prevent functional communication within the democratic opposition, leaving everything else to time.

“Their cards have been dealt well, but it’s not up to them how we play ours. I don’t like giving unsolicited advice, but if I were part of the student movement, I’d tread carefully to avoid self-harm while delivering the most painful blow to the regime. As I said, this government is immune to shame. The only thing that could truly hurt them would be peaceful civil disobedience actions that disrupt budget revenue, hinder public services, or expose corrupt financial networks,” Ponos concluded.