Amid public anger and months of anti-corruption protests that have gripped Serbia, Prime Minister Miloš Vučević announced his resignation on Tuesday. He becomes the highest-ranking official to leave office since mass protests erupted over the collapse of a concrete shelter at a Novi Sad train station.
The incident, which killed 15 people, came after the station was renovated twice in recent years by a consortium of companies led by China. Protesters blame widespread government corruption for the tragedy, but authorities have denied the allegations. Speaking at an emergency press conference in Belgrade, he said Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić had accepted his decision.
"Following the attack on protesters last night in Novi Sad, I have made the irrevocable decision to resign from the position of Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia. I had a long meeting with President Vučić this morning and he accepted my decision and arguments," Vučević declared.
With this action, according to Vučević, the political demands of some of the most extreme demonstrators are also met: "Let this lead to calming the situation and the return of political and social dialogue."
Vučević also stressed that there is foreign interference in the protests, although he did not specify what or who he was referring to. Along with Vučević, the mayor of Novi Sad, Milan Đurić, also resigned. The decision was announced a day after Vučević announced a plan to urgently reshuffle the government, amid increasing pressure from demonstrators.
On Monday, demonstrators implemented a 24-hour blockade of key traffic segments in the capital Belgrade. Farmers with tractors and thousands of citizens joined the blockade that followed weeks of protests. Even after Vučević's decision to resign, student representatives in Serbia said their demands had not been met and warned of new protests. (A2 Televizion)
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