Serbia’s prime minister Vucevic Resigns, triggering 30-Day deadline for new government

Serbia’s parliament has officially accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, setting a 30-day deadline for the formation of a new government or the calling of snap elections.

The resignation, announced on January 28, follows the deadly train station collapse in Novi Sad last November, which resulted in 15 fatalities and sparked widespread protests across the country.

The protests, including one of the largest rallies in decades with more than 100,000 people gathering in Belgrade, were fueled by allegations of government corruption and mismanagement related to the incident, which the government denies. Protesters have demanded accountability for the disaster, and the ongoing unrest has significantly shaken the leadership of President Aleksandar Vucic, who has maintained power since becoming prime minister in 2014 and president in 2017.

Under Serbia’s constitution, President Vucic now has 30 days to propose a new prime minister-designate to lead the country until the next scheduled elections in 2027. The deadline for forming a new government is April 18, 2025. If the president fails to appoint a new prime minister-designate by then, a snap election will be triggered within 45 to 60 days.

The parliament session, which began on March 4, concluded with Vucevic's resignation as its final agenda item. The session has been marked by tensions, with opposition lawmakers protesting against the government and in support of student-led demonstrations. While the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) remains the most popular party, recent polls have shown a decline in government support amid the protests.

Opposition parties have called for an interim government without the SNS, but Vucic has rejected this demand, asserting that the SNS should remain in power. The next steps in this political drama will determine the future of Serbia’s government and the direction of the country's political landscape.

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