The European Commission has criticised Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic after he called European Green Party leaders “scum” in response to their participation in a student-led protest in Novi Sad that turned violent last week.

Serbia has seen near-daily protests for 10 months, largely peaceful until mid-August, when demonstrators clashed with police and torched local ruling party offices.        

“When members of the European Parliament are called scum, it reveals a questionable understanding of democracy,” European Commissioner Marta Kos said after talks with Austria’s foreign minister in Vienna on September 8, Nova.rs reported. 

Thousands rallied in Serbia’s northern city of Novi Sad on September 5 against police violence and what they described as violations of university autonomy. The protest, organised under the slogan “Serbia, can we hear each other?”, drew student groups from across the country as well as representatives of the European Greens. Clashes broke out after police attempted to disperse demonstrators.

Vucic accused foreign politicians of backing unrest and singled out European Green Party president Vula Tsetsi, calling her “the worst European scumbag” and warning that demonstrators would face prosecution.

“We have a problem in Belgrade,” Kos said, urging Serbia’s leadership to “focus on the reforms that have been promised.” She added that citizens had the right to protest but said violence and vandalism must stop, with police expected to act proportionately and respect basic rights.

Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said the Novi Sad clashes were “obviously planned,” while Mayor Zarko Micin accused outside activists of seeking to “set our city on fire.”