Vucic Says He Will Resign Within Weeks as 16-Death Disaster Fuels Serbia Protests
Updated
Updated · DW (English) · Jun 29
Vucic Says He Will Resign Within Weeks as 16-Death Disaster Fuels Serbia Protests
3 articles · Updated · DW (English) · Jun 29
Summary
Thousands rallied in Kraljevo on Sunday after President Aleksandar Vucic said at a pro-government event he would step down within weeks, capping more than a year of student-led anti-corruption protests.
The movement grew out of the November 2024 Novi Sad railway canopy collapse that killed 16 people, an accident widely blamed on construction mismanagement and systemic corruption.
Vucic gave no election timetable, rejected demands for early elections before his 2027 exit date, and said he would help his ruling Serbian Progressive Party in the next vote.
Serbian law bars Vucic from another presidential run, but he is widely expected to seek a return as prime minister, a post he held from 2014 to 2017.
Is Vucic's resignation a true defeat or a clever pivot to consolidate his power?
Will Serbia's next government choose a future with the European Union or with China?
From Novi Sad Tragedy to Vučić’s Fall: How a Railway Collapse Sparked Serbia’s 2024-2026 Protest Movement and Political Upheaval
Overview
In June 2026, Serbia experienced a surge in public activism and calls for political change, set against a dynamic and contested political environment. This was highlighted when students in Kraljevo organized a gathering in response to a rally by President Aleksandar Vučić, reflecting ongoing political tensions and a divided public. The students promoted national unity and renewed calls for early elections, showing a widespread desire for political reform. These events, rooted in public dissatisfaction and demands for accountability, illustrate how civic engagement and youth activism are shaping Serbia’s push for a more transparent and responsive government.