Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic floated the possibility of a snap election in April after his Prime Minister resigned on Tuesday amid growing anti-government protests.
Prime Minister’s Resignation Sparks Government Instability
Prime Minister Milos Vucevic became the highest-ranking official to step down in the aftermath of a roof collapse at a railway station in the city of Novi Sad in November, – a disastrous tragedy that killed 15 people and sparked months of demonstrations. His resignation has destabilized Vucic’s government and compelled the opposition to call for the formation of an interim government.
Vucic is regarded as a strategic player on the international stage in light of Serbia’s historic ties with Russia and the West. Serbia is a candidate to join the European Union, although it must normalise relations with its neighbour and former province Kosovo.
Opposition parties and human rights advocates are accusing him and his SNS party of bribing voters, suppressing media freedom, violence against opponents, corruption and ties with organised crime. Vucic and his allies are however denying these claims.
Already, the opposition Kreni-Promeni party has called for an interim government made up of experts and approved by the students. This political party also urged other opposition parties not to boycott elections if they do hold.
Vucic’s Response to Protests and Government Instability
In a televised address on Tuesday evening, Vucic said that his party would take 10 days to decide whether to form a majority government or hold a snap parliamentary election. This move aims to address the growing anti-government protests and restore stability to the Serbian government.
What started as small gatherings in Novi Sad have ballooned and spread to the capital Belgrade in recent weeks. Students, teachers and other workers all trooped out in their thousands to blame the station disaster on corruption within Vucic’s government.
Serbia’s ministers for construction, transportation and infrastructure, and the trade minister have already stepped down because of the incident, but that action failed to quell the protests.
What’s Next for Serbia?
While this is an ongoing situation, one thing is clear: the future of Serbia’s government hangs in the balance. Will Vucic’s party opt for a snap election, or will they attempt to form a majority government? Only time will tell.
