Elvir Karpuzi, who led a march of parents through the streets of Belgrade’s Zvezdara district on Sunday night, is a member of the opposition Freedom and Justice Party (SSP), according to past party statements on its official website.

Karpuzi’s participation in the demonstrations comes amid growing political tensions in Serbia, as protests continue across multiple cities. The demonstrations, which have drawn students, opposition groups, and civil society members, have led to road blockades and calls for political change.

In the southern city of Niš, students who previously took part in protests in Novi Sad announced plans to travel to other cities to join demonstrations. Meanwhile, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has been touring southern regions of the country, reinforcing his political support base.

The protests have sparked divisions within student organizations, with some groups distancing themselves from opposition parties. A faction known as “Students 2.0” submitted demands to the Ministry of Education, urging the resolution of academic disruptions caused by the ongoing demonstrations.

In a separate development, Balša Božović, a former Democratic Party (DS) official, accused certain student groups of aligning with the government by rejecting affiliations with opposition movements. Meanwhile, media outlets reported that thousands of people have participated in demonstrations across 240 locations in Serbia since the start of November.

Amid the unrest, tensions escalated in Novi Sad, where a man was arrested after allegedly attempting to break through a student blockade in front of the “Bogdan Šuput” School of Design. The suspect has been placed in custody for 30 days.

As protests persist, pensioners’ associations have voiced support for students, with some groups calling for further demonstrations in Belgrade on February 5.

The Serbian government has yet to make significant concessions to protester demands, as both sides brace for a continuation of public demonstrations in the coming days.