The resignation of Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević may not be enough to end the protests that have engulfed the country since the November incident at a railway station in Novi Sad, where 15 people died as a result of the collapse of a large piece of concrete.
Although Vučević's resignation was among the protesters' initial demands, they have advanced their position over time.
Initially, protesters demanded the resignation of Vučević and the mayor of Novi Sad, Milan Đurić. Đurić also resigned on January 28.
Despite these resignations, students have warned of new protests. In a post on Instagram, student representatives said their demands have not been met.
The resignation announcement follows Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić's January 27 statement that all of the students' demands had been met. Vučić appears to have attempted to defuse tensions, even as the protests have grown more and more intense.
On the night of January 27-28, the protesters were joined by farmers who blocked the main roads of the Serbian capital, Belgrade, with their tractors. Over time, the anger over the deaths in Novi Sad has broadened to include other demands.
The protesters have said they are not interested in politics and do not see the resignations as the main problem. They insist that Serbian institutions work properly.
"We would like to live in a country where every institution can do its job independently, without corruption or external pressure," said university student Jana Llomić in an interview with Radio Free Europe.
The students spent the night outdoors.
The students spent the night outdoors.
Many students stayed in tents overnight.
They have the support of Serbia's opposition parties. Authorities have announced that the government will submit a motion for a vote of confidence in parliament on January 29. The opposition has said that this is a long-standing request and that they support the students' position.
They have four main requirements:
the publication of all documents related to the reconstruction of the station in Novi Sad, as there are concerns about corruption,
the dismissal of the charges against the students who were arrested at the start of the protests,
the prosecution of people who attacked students in protests, and
20 percent increase in government funding for state universities.
The government approved a 20 percent increase in the 2025 budget in December.
Vučić has said that all documents related to the reconstruction of the railway station have already been made public. However, the Serbian president has made this statement earlier and has been rejected by some protesters.
"We are always open to negotiations and cooperation, but we don't want anyone to play with us, and it's clear that this has been happening for two months," said Nikola Mutavdzic, a law student who participated in the 24-hour traffic blockade in Belgrade on January 27.
Vucic has said that charges against protesters will also be dropped and that 37 individuals are facing criminal proceedings for attacks on students.
It is unclear whether all charges will be dropped, even if the suspected attackers will face justice.
The student movement has no leaders. They make decisions by majority vote.
It is also unclear what will happen in parliament on January 29. A vote of confidence, when the prime minister has already resigned, seems a meaningless decision, and has little chance of reducing public anger.
"With the resignation of the prime minister, the entire cabinet is overthrown, so in practical terms it means that the entire government has resigned," Vučević said on January 28.
The government cabinet is expected to meet on the afternoon of January 28. According to the Serbian Constitution, the Government will be in power for another 30 days, until the new government composition is approved by parliament.
If something like this does not happen, Vučić should announce new parliamentary elections.
Opposition parties have called for the formation of an interim government, something that has been rejected by Vučić's Serbian Progressive Party./ REL (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
