President Aleksandar Vučić has rejected an opposition request for a transitional government following Prime Minister Miloš Vučević’s resignation. The move aims to restore stability after weeks of anti-corruption protests sparked by the collapse of a concrete awning at a Belgrade train station, killing 15 people. Vučić ruled out an early election or a new government, warning that political tensions have risen and public trust has been shaken.
Vučević’s resignation was seen as an attempt to calm unrest after a series of massive anti-corruption protests began when the station reopened. The collapse highlighted safety concerns in Serbia’s infrastructure projects often led by Chinese companies, fueling accusations of corruption.
Public support for the protesters grew, with thousands converging on Novi Sad and other cities. Vučić, however, dismissed the protests as a “small issue” and hinted that deeper reforms are needed to address broader dissatisfaction with Serbia’s political system.
Branimir Jovančićević, a chemistry professor, welcomed the resignation as a step toward change but cautioned against simplistic solutions, noting that power remains concentrated in Vučić’s hands. The situation has drawn criticism from international observers, who question whether Serbia can maintain stability amidst growing unrest and international pressure to investigate corruption allegations.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/01/28/putin-says-russia-is-open-to-negotiations-with-ukraine-but-accuses-kyiv-of-being-uncoopera