Serbian president suggests an early election following the prime minister’s resignation during demonstrations

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic hinted at the chance of an early election in April following the resignation of his prime minister on Tuesday amidst escalating anti-government demonstrations. Prime Minister Milos Vucevic became the most senior official to resign following a roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad in November that resulted in 15 fatalities and triggered months of protests.

His resignation has unsettled Vucic’s administration and led the opposition to demand the establishment of a temporary government. In a televised speech on Tuesday evening, Vucic announced that his party would spend 10 days deciding whether to create a majority government or conduct a snap parliamentary election.

Vucic stated, “The upcoming election may take place in April.” “An interim administration is not an option.”

The announcement signifies a notable shift for Vucic, whose party swiftly triumphed in a snap election in 2023 but has faced mounting pressure lately. What started as minor meetings in Novi Sad has expanded and reached the capital Belgrade in recent weeks. Thousands of students, teachers, and other employees have gathered to attribute the station disaster to corruption in Vucic’s administration.

The minister for construction, transportation and infrastructure, along with the trade minister, has resigned due to the incident, yet this did not pacify the protesting students. Vucic is regarded as a key player globally due to Serbia’s long-standing connections with both Russia and the West. Serbia seeks to become a member of the European Union, but it needs to normalize its relations with Kosovo, its neighboring former province.

Opposition parties and human rights organizations charge him and his SNS party with bribing voters, suppressing media freedom, committing violence against opponents, engaging in corruption, and having connections with organized crime. Vucic and his associates refute these claims. The Kreni-Promeni opposition party has requested an interim government consisting of experts endorsed by the students. It has encouraged other opposition parties to participate in elections if they take place.

The demonstrations, featuring students establishing a blockade at a major intersection in Belgrade this week, have mostly remained non-violent. However, on Monday, three demonstrators in Novi Sad were assaulted and held members of Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) responsible. A young woman suffered head injuries and was admitted to the hospital.

The prosecutor’s office in Novi Sad announced in a statement that the police have apprehended four individuals related to the incident. On Tuesday afternoon, thousands of students assembled in Novi Sad to demonstrate against the assault on their fellow students.