Serbian PM Vucevic Resigns Over Student Protests
Milos Vucevic leaves after a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, Jan. 28, 2025. Photo: EFE
January 28, 2025 Hour: 1:58 pm
Protests began after the collapse of the Novi Sad train station roof on November 1, which resulted in the deaths of 15 people.
On Tuesday, Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic announced his resignation, stating that his decision was aimed at reducing tensions after over two months of continuous protests led by students accusing President Aleksandar Vucic of corruption and undermining the rule of law.
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Vucevic submitted his resignation after a student was gravely injured in an attack in the city of Novi Sad. According to witnesses, the attackers allegedly came from the offices of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), the ruling conservative and nationalist party that has dominated politics since 2012.
The protests began after the collapse of the Novi Sad train station roof on November 1, which resulted in the deaths of 15 people, including two children. The project, awarded to a Chinese company, had been inaugurated just a few months earlier.
Citizens accuse the government of corruption in awarding the project without transparency and of pressuring to accelerate its completion for political reasons. Protesters argue that corruption and lack of oversight were responsible for the disaster.
The demonstrators are demanding the release of documents related to the station’s construction, the prosecution of those responsible for the attacks on students during the protests, the release of detained protesters, and an increase in university budgets.
President Vucic claimed that the demands had been addressed and expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue. He also announced plans for a government reshuffle and proposed a referendum on his continuation in office, an idea rejected by the opposition, which argues that the current system does not ensure free elections. The opposition also pointed out that the current legislation does not allow for referendums to measure a politician’s popularity.
In recent history, there have been other anti-government demonstrations, including protests in May 2023 following two mass shootings that left over 20 people dead. Authorities were criticized for failing to take effective measures against the illegal possession of firearms.
There were also protests over alleged electoral fraud in the December 2023 parliamentary elections—when SNS won 48% of the vote—and against lithium mining projects due to potential environmental impacts.
Currently, Serbia is a candidate for European Union membership but has made no progress in accession negotiations in recent years. The country has also not joined the EU’s sanctions against Russia due to its historic ties of friendship with Moscow.
Divided and weakened, the opposition has called for a transitional government to organize elections. However, this idea has been rejected by Vucic, who defends the legitimacy of the current political system.
In recent years, Vucic has repeatedly used early elections as a way to navigate crises. The parliamentary elections of December 2023 were the fifth snap legislative elections in ten years.
teleSUR/ JF Source: EFE