Former Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic posted a video staging a debate with a photograph of Ilija Srdanovic, a representative of the Student List, and a stone used to press cabbage during pickling.
In his yard, Vucic set out two chairs, placed Srdanovic’s portrait on one and put a cabbage-pickling stone beside it. The scene played on remarks that even a stone used to press cabbage could defeat him in an election.
“I have no other way to hold a debate because they do not want one. Today I will discuss important issues with Mr. Srdanovic this way,” Vucic said. He said he had previously offered the Student List a televised debate in any format but received no response. Serbian outlet Srpske Novine also reported the video and Vucic’s claim.
The “Student List — Students Win” movement is taking part in the parliamentary campaign amid protests that began after a canopy collapsed at the Novi Sad railway station on November 1, 2024. The movement’s participants previously opposed sanctions against Russia, according to their social-media posts cited by RIA Novosti.
Vucic has described the protests as an attempted “colour revolution” and alleged that Western-funded media and organisations are behind them. He has also claimed that billions of euros from abroad were spent on efforts to change the government. These are the politician’s allegations.