Serbian President Vucic Considers Resignation Amidst Protests
L'essentiel
- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic hinted at resignation as his term nears end.
- This follows anti-government protests in Belgrade on May 23, where 34,000 people gathered.
- Clashes with police led to 47 detentions and 17 injured officers.
Résumé généré par IA
Pourquoi c'est important
Large anti-government protests have been occurring in Serbia, sparked by a deadly railway station collapse in Novi Sad in November 2024. Demonstrators are demanding early parliamentary elections and accusing authorities of insufficient safety measures.
BELGRADE, May 25. /TASS/. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has said he could resign as his term in office will soon expire.
The Serbian Interior Ministry stated that about 34,000 people had taken part in an anti-government rally in the country’s capital of Belgrade on May 23.
TASS has gathered the key information on recent developments in the Balkan country.
Possible resignation
- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has said he could resign as his term in office is about to expire.
- The Serbian leader made the statement during a visit to China.
Protester detentions
- Police detained 47 people following clashes in Belgrade late on May 23, Ivica Dacic, Serbia’s deputy prime minister and interior minister, told the Prva TV channel.
- As many as 17 law enforcement officers were injured in the riots.
- Dacic stressed that one of those detained had a diplomatic passport.
- Dacic also told reporters that protesters had used bottles, stones and fireworks to attack police officers.
Belgrade protests
- A major anti-government rally took place in Belgrade’s Slavija Square on the afternoon of May 23.
- Some 34,000 people participated in the protest.
- Police chief Dragan Vasiljevic explained that it had been difficult to estimate the exact number of protesters because people were actively moving about the city center.
- Demonstrators set trash cans on fire and threw bottles at police officers.
- Clashes between Vucic’s opponents and law enforcement officers took place in downtown Belgrade in the evening following the rally.
- In addition, on May 23, the Srbijavoz railway company suspended train traffic across the country until further notice.
Causes of public discontent
- A canopy collapsed at the railway station in the Serbian city of Novi Sad on November 1, 2024.
- The incident killed 16 people.
- The tragedy sparked widespread public outcry, leading to large-scale protests, with demonstrators accusing the authorities of insufficient safety measures.
- Protest activities continued across Serbia in 2025, demanding early parliamentary elections.
- Vucic announced on May 21 that parliamentary elections would be held between late September and mid-November.
À surveiller
Perspective IA — des possibilités, pas des certitudes
Parliamentary elections will be held between late September and mid-November.
Très probable · En quelques mois
Questions ouvertes
- Will President Vucic actually resign?
- What are the specific demands of the protesters beyond early elections?
- What led to the canopy collapse in Novi Sad?
- What is the political fallout from the detentions and injuries?
