Serbia could be heading for elections after largest protest in history

Serbia could be heading toward snap elections after the country saw its largest protest in history on March 15, raising pressure on the government and President Aleksandar Vucic to respond.

An estimated 300,000 people gathered in the capital Belgrade on Saturday, marking the climax of months of student-led protests sparked by a deadly infrastructure collapse at Novi Sad railway station in November 2024.

The incident, which killed 15 people and injured two others, has sparked a wave of protests led by students, demanding government accountability and justice. The protests have created a political crisis for the President, leading to the resignation of the Prime Minister, Milos Vucevic.

During a government session at the Palace of Serbia on March 16, President Vucic said that the Prime Minister’s resignation would be formally confirmed on March 18. Following this, the 30-day deadline for the formation of a new government will begin.

“If the new government is not formed within the legal deadline, elections will be held, most likely on June 8,” Vucic told reporters, adding that the situation in the country needs to be normalised as soon as possible.

Despite the government’s attempts to address public dissatisfaction and calm the months-long protests, public anger has only escalated. Protests have continued to grow in size, with the Belgrade protest on March 15 representing the peak of a nationwide movement that has seen similar demonstrations in over 200 towns and cities across Serbia.

Vucic’s comments came in a meeting with National Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabic, where he outlined the timeline for Vucevic’s resignation to trigger the 30-day deadline. If a new government is not formed within that period, the country could face early elections in June.

While the protests have gained significant momentum, opposition parties have struggled to present a unified response or alternative leadership to challenge the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). This political fragmentation could encourage Vucic to call elections as a means to reaffirm his political legitimacy, despite the risk of losing his parliamentary majority.

Vucic, known for his frequent use of snap elections to reinforce his authority, may view elections as a chance to reset his leadership amid mounting public dissatisfaction. However, holding an election in the wake of the largest protest in Serbia’s history carries significant risks.

Public frustration could lead to a surge in support for opposition parties, even those who have struggled to present a cohesive platform. Nevertheless, the president’s history of political manoeuvring suggests that he may view elections as the best option for resolving the current crisis./IntrlliNews/