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Vucic wanted to discredit the students, they are cruelly trolling him: President, you know best what it is like to be a parasite
Croatia🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressiveyesterday

Vucic wanted to discredit the students, they are cruelly trolling him: President, you know best what it is like to be a parasite

The article reports on tensions between Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and student protesters who have been leading anti-government demonstrations in Serbia. Vučić criticized students on a televised appearance, calling them 'parasites on state cradles' and accusing them of undermining the education system during university blockades. In response, students mocked Vučić by sharing online messages such as 'But Mr. President... you're not on the list,' suggesting his criticism was unfounded. The protests were sparked by the death of 16 people in a collapsed roof at a recently renovated railway station in Novi Sad in December 2024. Students claim they have gained significant public support and announced their candidate list for early elections, which Vučić has repeatedly promised but not yet scheduled. Vučić's allies in the media have published projected lists of student candidates, which students dispute as speculation. They insist their official list will be released once elections are officially called.

Aleksandar Vučić, president Srbije, has dismissed a recent public opinion survey conducted by a non-governmental organization, asserting that its findings are inaccurate and constitute propaganda. In response, the organization behind the poll, the Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA), has denied these claims, insisting that the results suggest the student-led political list would receive greater support than the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in upcoming elections. The survey, conducted between June 10 and 24 by CRTA and the Stanford University-based Democracy Action Lab using face-to-face methods, was based on a representative sample of 2,324 adult citizens. According to the findings, 44.9 percent of respondents indicated they would vote for the student list, compared to 35.7 percent for the SNS and 3.8 percent for the largest coalition partner of the progressive parties, the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS). The results were released on July 15. Vučić, who has faced mounting pressure from mass anti-government protests led by student movements, criticized the survey during his visit to Kyiv earlier this week. He accused CRTA of conducting "unprofessional, unserious and propagandistic" work, claiming the organization promotes violence and negative values rather than acting as an objective observer. In response, Vojislav Mihajlović, a political analyst and director of research at CRTA, stated that Vučić enjoys reading polls but does not engage in the process himself. Mihajlović emphasized that the organization adheres to the highest global standards in conducting such surveys, noting that the sample size is double the average found in similar studies in Serbia. He added that the sampling control is of high quality and expressed confidence in the data collected. Mihajlović also pointed out that any comments from unqualified and unauthorized individuals should not be further discussed. He stressed that the organization stands by its methodology and findings, which he described as reliable and well-founded. Vučić's criticism comes amid ongoing calls for early elections, driven by widespread dissatisfaction with the government. Student-led demonstrations have been demanding reforms and greater transparency, arguing that the current administration has failed to address their concerns effectively. The controversy surrounding the survey highlights the deepening tensions between the ruling party and opposition groups, particularly among younger voters who feel increasingly disconnected from the political establishment. As the debate over the accuracy of the survey continues, both sides remain firm in their positions. CRTA maintains that its findings reflect genuine public sentiment, while Vučić insists that the organization’s motives are biased and politically motivated. With the possibility of early elections looming, the dispute underscores the growing polarization within Serbian politics and the challenges facing leaders seeking to navigate a complex and divided electorate.

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2 reports

N1 Hrvatska logoN1 HrvatskaIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 705 days ago
Vucic attacked the poll, the NGO replied: If it wasn't accurate, he would have called elections

The Serbian non-governmental organization CRTA released a public opinion survey suggesting that a student-led political list would receive more support than the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in upcoming parliamentary elections. President Aleksandar Vučić criticized the survey, calling it propaganda. In response, CRTA's research director Vojislav Mihajlović argued that if the data were inaccurate, early elections would have already been called, referencing Serbia's recent history of frequent elections. The survey was conducted between June 10–24 by CRTA and Stanford University’s Democracy Action Lab using face-to-face interviews with a representative sample of 2,324 adults. Mihajlović emphasized that the methodology followed global standards and that the sample size was significantly larger than typical surveys in Serbia. Vučić has faced pressure from mass anti-government protests led by student groups demanding early elections, which he attributes to efforts to destabilize his administration.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both the claims made by CRTA and the rebuttals from President Vučić without overtly favoring either side. It includes direct quotes from both parties involved and provides background on the survey's methodology and the political context of the dispute. There is no evident bias,煽

Why factuality (85): The article reports on a survey conducted by CRTA and Stanford’s Democracy Action Lab using a representative sample of 2324 adults in Serbia. It provides specific percentages and methodology, aligning with the cross-source consensus that the survey was conducted properly. The response from Vojislav

Why objectivity (70): The article presents both sides of the debate—Vučić’s criticism and CRTA’s defense—but leans slightly toward supporting the credibility of the survey and CRTA’s position. There is some editorializing in the phrasing, such as 'voli čitati istraživanja, ali se on ne bavi tim poslom,' which implies jud

Telegram.hr logoTelegram.hrIndependentProgressiveyesterday
Vucic wanted to discredit the students, they are cruelly trolling him: President, you know best what it is like to be a parasite

The article reports on tensions between Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and student protesters who have been leading anti-government demonstrations in Serbia. Vučić criticized students on a televised appearance, calling them 'parasites on state cradles' and accusing them of undermining the education system during university blockades. In response, students mocked Vučić by sharing online messages such as 'But Mr. President... you're not on the list,' suggesting his criticism was unfounded. The protests were sparked by the death of 16 people in a collapsed roof at a recently renovated railway station in Novi Sad in December 2024. Students claim they have gained significant public support and announced their candidate list for early elections, which Vučić has repeatedly promised but not yet scheduled. Vučić's allies in the media have published projected lists of student candidates, which students dispute as speculation. They insist their official list will be released once elections are officially called.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames Vučić's criticism of students as politically motivated and dismissive, while portraying the students as legitimate protest leaders seeking democratic reforms. The tone suggests skepticism toward Vučić's authority and aligns more closely with opposition viewpoints. The emphasis on

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