Breaking News

Vucevic

Serbia’s Prime Minister Milos Vucevic Resigns Amid Protests Over Deadly Canopy Collapse

Belgrade, January 28, 2025 – The Europe Today: Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic announced his resignation on Tuesday, following weeks of massive protests triggered by the deadly collapse of a concrete canopy in Novi Sad last November. The tragic incident, which claimed the lives of 15 people, has become a symbol of broader discontent with the government of President Aleksandar Vucic, who has faced mounting criticism over his perceived curtailment of democratic freedoms in Serbia, despite the country’s formal bid for European Union membership.

Vucevic, in a news conference, explained that his resignation was a gesture aimed at de-escalating tensions within the country. “It is my appeal for everyone to calm down the passions and return to dialogue,” he stated.

In addition to Vucevic’s resignation, Novi Sad Mayor Milan Djuric also announced he would step down, further signaling the government’s response to the protests. Vucevic’s departure is expected to lead to an early parliamentary election, which could have significant political ramifications.

Serbia’s parliament must confirm Vucevic’s resignation within 30 days, either by electing a new government or calling a snap election. On Monday, tens of thousands of protesters, including striking university students, gathered in Belgrade, blocking a major traffic intersection for 24 hours in a demonstration demanding justice and accountability for the canopy collapse.

The student protests, which have gained widespread support across Serbia, have called for transparency in the investigation of the disaster. In a bid to calm the situation, President Vucic, Vucevic, and Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic met with student leaders on Monday evening, urging a return to dialogue.

Vucevic revealed that the immediate trigger for his resignation was a violent attack on a female student in Novi Sad on Tuesday morning, allegedly carried out by assailants linked to the ruling Serbian Progressive Party. “Whenever it seems there is hope to return to social dialogue… it’s like an invisible hand creates a new incident, and tensions mount again,” he said, highlighting the ongoing challenges in fostering a constructive political climate.

In the wake of the canopy collapse, prosecutors have filed charges against 13 individuals, including a government minister and several state officials. However, the release of former Construction Minister Goran Vesic from detention has raised concerns over the impartiality of the investigation and the potential for political interference.

The collapsed canopy was part of an infrastructure project that involved renovations to the Novi Sad railway station, which had been refurbished twice in recent years under an agreement with Chinese state companies.

Vucevic’s resignation and the unfolding political developments signal a critical moment in Serbia’s ongoing struggle with governance, accountability, and democratic freedoms. The situation remains fluid, with the possibility of further protests and political upheaval in the coming weeks.