Thousands of people gathered in the central Serbian city of Kraljevo on Sunday, maintaining pressure on President Aleksandar Vučić a day after he announced plans to step down within weeks and call early elections.
While many protesters welcomed the prospect of his resignation, doubts remain about whether he will fully relinquish power after more than a decade at the top of Serbian politics.
“I cannot imagine that he will step down and leave power to someone else,” said Marko Djokic, an IT expert who returned to his hometown to join the rallies.
Analysts say Vučić could attempt to retain influence by shifting roles, potentially running for prime minister while placing an ally in the presidency.
The uncertainty has fuelled continued demonstrations, with protesters determined to press for deeper structural change rather than a simple leadership reshuffle.
The unrest stems from a fatal incident in late 2024, when a concrete awning collapsed at a railway station in Novi Sad, killing 16 people. The tragedy quickly became a symbol of what many view as government mismanagement and corruption.
In the months since, student-led protests have grown into the largest demonstrations seen in Serbia since the fall of Slobodan Milosevic in 2000.
Vučić has denied allegations of corruption linked to the incident.
In Kraljevo, demonstrators gathered in a central square despite high temperatures, waving Serbian flags and carrying banners reading “Students are winning”.
“We cannot go on like this, things need to change,” said Ilija Cordasic, who travelled from the northeastern city of Zrenjanin to take part.
Others framed the protests in broader terms. “This is not just a political struggle but a fight between good and evil,” said Jelena Danicic, a Serbian-language professor.
Events in Serbia are being closely watched internationally. Both the European Union and Russia have an interest in the country’s political direction, reflecting its strategic position in the region.
The EU has raised concerns over the treatment of protesters, as well as issues around press freedom and judicial independence. Serbia is a candidate for EU membership but has yet to meet key conditions related to the rule of law and governance.
Belgrade has long pursued a balancing act in its foreign policy, maintaining close ties with Russia and China while also seeking closer integration with the EU.
Progress towards EU membership will depend on reforms, including tackling corruption, ensuring free and fair elections, and normalising relations with Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008.
For many protesters, the coming weeks will be critical. While Vučić’s pledge to step down represents a significant shift, it has not ended the movement pushing for broader political change.
As rallies continue, demonstrators are signalling that they will remain on the streets until they see what they consider meaningful reform, raising the stakes for Serbia’s political future.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's aircraft was nearly struck by a drone while departing Moldova on ...
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said on Wednesday they attacked two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, calling the st...
Georgia’s International Maritime Forum has closed in Batumi with officials setting out investment targets, timelines and technical plans aime...
Four people were killed, including a child, in Ukrainian strikes on the Russian port city of Novorossiysk overnight, according to the governor of the Krasnodar region. Ukraine's drone forces commander, Robert Brovdi, said Russian military ships were destroyed in the attacks.
A TV channel was struck during a live broadcast on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at least three people, the city's Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Meanwhile, drones hit civilian infrastructure in Russia's southwestern Saratov region.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly launched two ballistic missile attacks against a U.S. Navy warship over the past two days.
Wildfires have broken out in Türkiye’s Antalya province, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate as strong winds fuelled the flames.
U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday on efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's aircraft was nearly struck by a drone while departing Moldova on its way to Norway, according to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said on Wednesday they attacked two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, calling the strikes a response to a U.S. attack on five Iranian tankers.
The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan, warning that escalating drone warfare and attacks on civilian infrastructure are deepening the country's already devastating humanitarian crisis.
Climate leaders in Baku are calling for a shift from climate commitments to concrete action as day three of Baku Climate Action Week focuses on implementation, cooperation and measurable results.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has dissolved parliament and called a snap election for 25 October, as he seeks to extend his political influence by running for prime minister.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment