Serbia’s Prime Minister Resigns – Milos Vucevic Appeals for Calm Amidst Anti-Corruption Protests
Belgrade, Serbia — Serbia’s populist Prime Minister Milos Vucevic announced on Tuesday that he is resigning following massive anti-corruption protests triggered by the deadly collapse of a concrete canopy in Novi Sad at the beginning of this month, which killed 15 people.
Although the protests initially began to honor the victims of the canopy collapse in November, they have since evolved into a broader protest against Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who faces accusations of curbing democratic rights and ruling in an increasingly autocratic manner. Despite seeking European Union membership for Serbia, President Vucic’s governance has been under harsh criticism.
In a press conference, Vucevic stated that his resignation is aimed at reducing tensions in the country. He appealed to the public to maintain calm and return to dialogue.
"It is my appeal for everyone to calm down the passions and return to dialogue," he said.
Novi Sad Mayor Milan Djuric will also step down on Tuesday, according to Vucevic.
Following Vucevic’s resignation, Serbia’s parliament will have to either form a new government or prepare for early elections, as the parliament has 30 days to either elect a new government or call for snap elections. On Monday, thousands of people, led by university students, blocked a key traffic intersection in the capital, Belgrade. The students have been protesting for weeks, demanding accountability for the canopy collapse and criticizing widespread corruption within the government.
Vucevic explained that the immediate cause for his resignation was an attack on a female student in Novi Sad on Tuesday, allegedly by members of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party. He stated, "Whenever it seems there is hope to return to social dialogue, an invisible hand creates a new incident, and tensions mount again."
Meanwhile, Serbian prosecutors have filed charges against 13 individuals, including a government minister and several state officials. However, the release of former Construction Minister Goran Vesic on bail has raised concerns about the independence of the investigation.
The main railway station in Novi Sad had recently been renovated as part of a large infrastructure deal with Chinese state companies.
Additionally, several incidents have occurred during the protests, including vehicles running into the crowds, resulting in injuries to two young women.
Students and others have been holding 15-minute traffic blockades every day at 11:52 a.m., the exact time the canopy collapsed on November 1, to honor the 15 victims, including two children.
