Serbian prime minister quits as protests persist
Published: 03:01 PM,Jan 28,2025 | EDITED : 07:01 PM,Jan 28,2025
Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic speaks during a press conference, in Belgrade, Serbia. — Reuters
BELGRADE: Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned on Tuesday, becoming the highest-ranking official to step down amid a wave of anti-corruption protests that have spread across the country. The anti-government demonstrations sprang up in the wake of the roof collapsing at a railway station in the city of Novi Sad, killing 15 people and leading to calls for Vucevic to quit.
'I opted for this step in order to defuse tensions', Vucevic told a news conference on Tuesday, announcing his resignation. 'With this we have met all demands of the most radical protesters.'
The protests, which included students putting up a blockade at a main junction in Belgrade this week, have been largely peaceful. Vucevic said an investigation is underway. He blamed foreign interference for stoking the protests, without providing evidence. The focus for many analysts now is how much this will affect the president, whose party easily won a snap election in 2023 but who has come under increasing pressure. — Reuters
'I opted for this step in order to defuse tensions', Vucevic told a news conference on Tuesday, announcing his resignation. 'With this we have met all demands of the most radical protesters.'
The protests, which included students putting up a blockade at a main junction in Belgrade this week, have been largely peaceful. Vucevic said an investigation is underway. He blamed foreign interference for stoking the protests, without providing evidence. The focus for many analysts now is how much this will affect the president, whose party easily won a snap election in 2023 but who has come under increasing pressure. — Reuters