Belgrade volunteers remove 18-month protest camp from Pioneers Park

Residents of Belgrade removed the physical remnants of a long-standing political standoff on Tuesday. Hundreds of volunteers joined municipal workers to clean Pioneers Park, a small green space located directly opposite the national assembly building. The park had served as the site of Ćaciland, a pro-government encampment that occupied the area for 18 months.

The space had been largely inaccessible to the public during that period. Convicted criminals lived in white tents within the camp and frequently attacked journalists and passersby. Police monitored the area but did not intervene to stop the violence. The occupation ended abruptly on election night when President Aleksandar Vučić acknowledged a defeat to the Student List movement.

Supporters of the new government cleared the area after police removed barriers and riot units stood aside. Volunteers dismantled damaged tents and burned others. The cleanup effort focused on restoring the children's playground, where workers disinfected climbing frames, swings, and slides. Radomir Dalic combed the grass to remove cigarette butts and other debris. He described the activity as a way to mark the end of an era, stating that the cleanup represented the smell of freedom.

Tamara Tomic, wearing yellow rubber gloves, said the collective effort demonstrated a desire for a normal life without violence. She noted that the group wanted to enjoy the city and live without fear. The Student List had emphasized cleanliness and order throughout its two-year campaign against corruption, which contributed to its victory over the governing Serbian Progressive party.

The new government structure remains distinct from traditional parties. The Student List operates without a formal hierarchy or a single leader. Its 250 candidates were selected through student assemblies and include academics, athletes, economists, and engineers. The movement published an 11-point plan focused on anti-corruption measures, judicial reform, media freedom, and healthcare access. However, it did not name a prime minister candidate before the vote.

Ilija Srdanović, the top-ranked candidate on the list, stated that no single individual would automatically become prime minister. He is a cardiologist at the university in Novi Sad and has participated in protests since the movement began. He emphasized that all candidates are equal subjects in the struggle, aiming to avoid the cult of personality common in Serbian politics. Experts note that the lack of a clear foreign policy stance on issues like Kosovo and EU accession may create challenges as the coalition forms a government.

The cleanup crew worked while traffic passed the park on Monday. Drivers honked their horns in celebration as they drove by the restoration site. The removal of the camp marks a visible change in the city center, though the political future of the broad coalition remains under discussion.