Vučić hints at early elections in Serbia after prime minister's resignation amid protests
Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia (photo: Getty Images)
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has admitted the possibility of early parliamentary elections in April. This comes in response to the resignation of the prime minister amid large-scale anti-government protests in the country, reports Reuters.
In a televised address, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that his party, the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), has 10 days to decide whether to form a majority government or call for early parliamentary elections.
He specified that new elections could take place in April.
According to analysts, the resignation of Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević has destabilized the government controlled by Vučić, prompting the opposition to call for the formation of a temporary government.
In particular, the opposition party Kreni-Promeni called for the creation of a temporary government made up of experts approved by students.
However, in his current address to the nation, President Vučić emphasized that the idea of a temporary government is out of the question.
While Vučić's party secured a solid victory in the early parliamentary elections in 2023, it has been facing increasing pressure recently.
Criticism of the Serbian government and anti-government protests
Opposition parties and human rights activists accuse Vučić and his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of voter bribery, suppressing media freedom, violence against opponents, corruption, and ties to organized crime.
Serbian President Vučić and his allies deny these allegations.
Resignations in the Serbian government due to protests
The protests in Serbia, which began after the roof collapse at the Novi Sad railway station in November last year, which killed 15 people, have continued to escalate. In response to the growing unrest, ministers of trade and construction, transport, and infrastructure also resigned.
However, this did not calm the protesters. Thousands of students, faculty, and other workers involved in the protests attribute the disaster at the Novi Sad station to corruption within Vučić's government.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Prime Minister Vučević, after announcing his resignation, stated that he took this step to ease the tension. He also added that the mayor of Novi Sad would also step down.
According to the former prime minister, this decision satisfied the demands of the most radical protesters.
Additionally, Vučić urged opposition political parties not to boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections if they take place.
The anti-government protests in Belgrade, Serbia, began in November 2024 following the railway station disaster that claimed lives. The protests reflect growing dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the situation and have been gaining momentum.
Earlier, on December 24, 2023, there were protests in the Serbian capital against the election results. These events, along with the recent incidents, have significantly contributed to the current political unrest in the country.
