Serbian Prime Minister Resigns Amid Mounting Protests and Public Outcry

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic announced his resignation on Tuesday, marking a turning point in the country’s political landscape as months of student-led and civic protests begin to impact the ruling government. The resignation comes amidst growing public outrage over corruption, violence against demonstrators, and a tragic infrastructure collapse that claimed 15 lives in Novi Sad.

Vucevic, a prominent figure in the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and a close ally of President Aleksandar Vucic, cited his resignation as a step to prevent further societal divisions. “This shows that we who were elected to assume responsibility are doing so, to avoid tensions spilling onto the streets and dividing citizens,” he said during a press conference in Belgrade. The resignation of Milan Djuric, the mayor of Novi Sad and another SNS party member, followed shortly after.

The protests, which began in November 2024, were sparked by the collapse of a newly renovated canopy at Novi Sad railway station, killing 15 people. The incident, attributed to shoddy construction linked to systemic corruption, has since fueled public demands for accountability. Students and citizens alike have called for the release of all documentation related to the station’s renovation and the prosecution of those responsible.

However, the protests have evolved into a broader challenge to President Vucic’s administration, which critics accuse of perpetuating a patronage system that rewards loyalty over competence.

The resignations came just a day after a violent incident in Novi Sad shocked the nation. Students posting stickers calling for continued protests outside the local SNS office were attacked by assailants armed with clubs, reportedly emerging from the building itself. The brutal assault left one young woman hospitalized with a fractured jaw, intensifying public anger.

These attacks are not isolated incidents. Protesters have faced increasing violence, including cars being intentionally driven into student blockades, leading to serious injuries. While arrests have been made in some cases, the tense atmosphere persists, with many accusing the government of fostering hostility through inflammatory rhetoric.

The protests have garnered support from universities, cultural institutions, and professional organizations, with hundreds of thousands joining demonstrations across the country. On Monday, a 24-hour blockade of Belgrade’s Autokomanda intersection caused major disruptions, symbolizing the growing strength of the movement.

Despite claims by President Vucic that the government is meeting the students’ demands, including the release of thousands of pages of renovation documents, public distrust remains high. “These resignations come too late,” said Pavle Grbovic, leader of the opposition Movement of Free Citizens. “This is damage control, not a genuine effort to address the systemic issues.”

President Vucic has dismissed the protests as being orchestrated by foreign actors aiming to destabilize Serbia. Pro-government media have labeled the demonstrators as “enemies of the state” and “foreign mercenaries.” Yet, a survey by the Center for Research, Transparency, and Accountability found that 61% of the population supports the protests, challenging the government’s narrative.

The grassroots nature of the protests has posed challenges for both the government and opposition parties. Students have largely distanced themselves from traditional political entities, focusing instead on holding the government accountable. While Vucic has expressed a willingness to negotiate, trust in his administration remains low.

The central question is whether this decentralized movement can sustain pressure long enough to force broader governmental changes. For now, Serbia finds itself at a crossroads, with citizens demanding transparency and justice in the face of an entrenched political system.

As the standoff continues, the resignation of Vucevic and other officials may only be the beginning of a broader reckoning for Serbia’s leadership.

Image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license and was created by the Ministry of Defence of Serbia.