Serbia's resigned prime minister says protests organized from abroad

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, who resigned on January 28, said the protests, in which citizens also blocked highways and educational institutions, were organized from abroad.

"Someone is behind this. I can now say that this [the social unrest and protests] was thought out from abroad. I have no doubt about that. He [whoever is behind it] has hit the most sensitive area of society - children's education," the politician said.

Vucevic also promised that those responsible for organizing the protests will be punished for what they have done, adding that it will not take long to identify these individuals, Serbian daily Novosti reported.

He specified that the decision to resign is the fulfillment of the protesters' condition, so he expects the public to calm down and stop participating in the rallies.

Vucevic said he will remain in office until a new head of government is elected. He and his government will continue in acting status.

On the same day, political analyst Aleksandar Asafov said that the resignation of half of Serbia's cabinet would not help Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to delay the next wave of protests for long, as they are caused by external influence from the West.

Earlier in the day, Vucevic said he resigned amid protests and divisions in society. The prime minister shared that he was satisfied with the results of his work over the past nine months, but the tragedy with the collapse of the canopy at the train station in the city of Novi Sad has cast a shadow over his government.

The canopy of the railway station collapsed in the city of Novi Sad on November 1 last year. As a result of the accident, 14 people were killed. Serbian authorities declared November 2 a day of mourning for the victims. At the same time, on January 19, 2025, Vucic said that the West was trying to organize a color revolution in Serbia.

On November 4, 2024, Serbian Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Goran Vesic resigned after the incident. Also in November, Vucic said that this dismissal "was only the beginning" and that the country would soon see a series of resignations. After the incident, Serbian students and the opposition started protests in different cities of the country.