Serbia’s Prime Minister Miloš Vučević announced his resignation on January 23, 2025, after weeks of massive protests across the country in response to the tragic collapse of a concrete canopy in November 2024, which resulted in multiple deaths. The protestors, demanding justice for the victims, have accused the government of widespread corruption and negligence in safety oversight, which they believe contributed to the deadly incident.
In his resignation speech, Vučević called for calm and dialogue, stating: “It is my appeal for everyone to calm down the passions and return to dialogue.” Alongside his own resignation, Novi Sad Mayor Milan Djuric also stepped down. Vučević’s departure is expected to trigger early parliamentary elections, as his resignation must be confirmed by Serbia’s parliament within 30 days, which could lead to the formation of a new government or a snap election.
The protests, which had been intensifying for weeks, saw a significant show of support on Monday, when tens of thousands of demonstrators, including striking university students, blocked a major traffic intersection in Belgrade. The students, who have led the charge against government corruption, have been demanding accountability for the canopy collapse, which critics say was enabled by widespread corruption at various levels of government.
In a bid to ease the mounting tensions, Vučević, alongside President Aleksandar Vučić and Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić, called for a return to dialogue with the students. The student protests have resonated across various sectors of Serbian society, with many supporting their call for justice and reforms.
While Serbia’s prosecutors have filed charges against 13 individuals, including a government minister and several state officials, public skepticism remains. The release of former Construction Minister Goran Vesic from detention, in particular, has raised doubts about the independence of the investigation into the canopy collapse. This has further fueled concerns that the investigation might be compromised.
Meanwhile, incidents during the street demonstrations have raised alarm. In Novi Sad, two separate attacks on protesters by drivers in vehicles resulted in injuries to two women. On Tuesday, students reported that one of their peers was severely injured in an assault by individuals armed with baseball bats. The students condemned the violence, with one group stating in an Instagram post: “We are horrified over the state of our society where such a situation is possible. We have had enough of blood.” They called for a rally later that day to continue their demand for justice.
To honour the victims of the November tragedy, students and activists have been holding daily 15-minute traffic blockades across Serbia at 11:52 a.m., marking the exact time the canopy collapsed and killed 15 people, including two children.
As the political and social unrest continues, the resignation of Vučević and Djuric may mark the beginning of significant political changes in Serbia, with the protests demanding not only accountability for the tragic incident but also broader reforms in government and infrastructure oversight.
