Serbian PM resigns following months of mass protests

Serbian PM resigns following months of mass protests

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic has stepped down following months of mass protests sparked by the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad, which claimed 15 lives in November. The tragedy, which unfolded in Serbia’s second-largest city, led to widespread outrage and demands for accountability, fueling nationwide demonstrations against corruption and inadequate oversight of infrastructure projects.

Vucevic announced his resignation, citing a desire to ease societal tensions and avoid further complications. His decision comes as protests, led predominantly by students, continue to disrupt daily life in Serbia. Demonstrators have staged large-scale rallies, blocked roads, and organized general strikes. In December, an estimated 100,000 people gathered in Belgrade, while smaller protests have persisted across the country.

The collapse of the railway canopy prompted legal action against more than a dozen individuals, including former Transport Minister Goran Vesic, who resigned shortly after the incident. As anger over the tragedy grew, protesters called for broader political accountability, with many accusing the government of corruption and neglect.

Tensions escalated earlier this week during a 24-hour blockade of a major road junction in Belgrade, where a female student was injured in clashes between government supporters and opposition protesters. Amid mounting pressure, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced a government reshuffle, vowing to replace more than half of his ministers and pardoning students and tutors charged during the demonstrations.

Vucevic’s resignation marks a significant development in the crisis. A trusted ally of the president, he has been in office for less than a year and previously served as mayor of Novi Sad during the initial phases of the railway station’s reconstruction. Vucevic expressed hope that his departure, along with the resignation of Novi Sad Mayor Milan Djuric, would satisfy protester demands and encourage dialogue.

However, questions remain over whether these changes will quell public discontent. Many view President Vucic as the central figure of power in Serbia, with critics highlighting his party’s dominance in the media and political landscape. The Serbian Progressive Party, which won the most recent parliamentary elections decisively, remains well-organized, while the opposition struggles with fragmentation and limited media presence.

Protesters have expressed doubts about whether the government’s recent actions will lead to meaningful reform. Although Prime Minister Vucevic’s resignation may temporarily reduce tensions, many demonstrators remain unconvinced that this move addresses the underlying issues of corruption, lack of oversight, and systemic governance failures. Calls for greater transparency, accountability, and structural change continue to dominate the protest movement.

The government now faces a critical 30-day window to appoint a new prime minister. If this deadline is not met, it could result in parliamentary elections, further heightening political uncertainty. Meanwhile, President Aleksandar Vucic has introduced additional ambiguity by suggesting an advisory referendum on his own leadership, pledging to step down if he loses. However, given the ruling Serbian Progressive Party’s strong control over the political landscape and media, a significant shift in power appears improbable in the near term.

The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining the protests’ trajectory. Should demonstrators view Vucevic’s resignation as a meaningful victory, the intensity of the movement may subside. On the other hand, if they see it as insufficient, the unrest is likely to continue, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with deeper systemic issues in governance and accountability that extend beyond the resignation of a single leader. Prolonged protests could further destabilize Serbia’s political environment.