Despite Prime Minister Miloš Vučević’s resignation, tensions continued to rise as crowds demanded justice and called for the government to address their grievances.
Protesters took to the streets in Novi Sad, Belgrade, Nis, and Kragujevac, denouncing an attack carried out late Monday by supporters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). The incident occurred just hours after President Aleksandar Vučić promised to meet all protest demands and invited student representatives to dialogue. According to witnesses, two students placing protest stickers on the SNS headquarters in Novi Sad were assaulted, as was another group of demonstrators.
Police arrested four suspects on Tuesday, and Vučić condemned the attack, saying the assailants had “caused enormous harm to Serbia, their own party, and all of us.” Demonstrators called for “justice” and accused the authorities, who “claimed they wanted dialogue,” of resorting to “baseball bats” against peaceful protesters.
PM steps down, protests continue
Prime Minister Vučević tendered his resignation on Tuesday, citing the Novi Sad incident as the immediate trigger. While President Vučić thanked him for taking responsibility, he said it would become clear “within 10 days whether we will have a new government or new elections.” Vučević expressed hope his decision would “lower tensions in society.”
The wave of protests began last November when part of the roof at Novi Sad’s newly renovated railway station collapsed, killing 15 people. Demonstrators blame government corruption and negligence for the disaster.
For weeks, students have led the protests and occupied more than 60 university faculties nationwide, demanding the release of all contracts tied to the station’s renovation, punishment for those attacking demonstrators, the withdrawal of charges against protesters, and a 20% boost in funding for higher education.
(jh)
Source: PAP, Polskie Radio 24