site.btaIs Serbia's Political Crisis Nearing Its Culmination?

Aleksandar Jovanov, who is among thousands participating in the protests in Serbia, covered 100 kilometres on foot to the northeastern part of the country despite his broken leg. Upon reaching Vrsac, one of the oldest cities in the Banat region, Aleksandar was hailed as a hero and seated in a chair covered in gold foil while resting on two crutches. 

Jovanov’s walking marathon was part of a student-led protest march, which took place over the weekend from Zrenjanin to Vrsac. This demonstration was part of the ongoing anti-government protests that have lasted for three and a half months and were sparked by the tragedy in Novi Sad.

On November 1, 2024, a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station collapsed, killing 15 people. Two of the injured are still receiving treatment at the Clinical Center of Vojvodina.

Zivodar Petrovic, a protester, told BTA that Jovanov’s seating in the golden chair was a response to a statement made by Prime Minister Milos Vucevic "that we aspire for seats of power". Petrovic added that Vucevic had seemingly resigned but continues to wield power. 

Another protester, active since last year’s wave of demonstrations, said, "Every day is a culmination. The blockade of Autokomanda was a culmination. Kragujevac was a culmination. Nis will be a culmination. Every day of the protests is a culmination!".

The protests have united students, teachers, and representatives of professional organizations, who blame government corruption and nepotism for the collapse and demand accountability for it. 

The protesters also seek justice for those who have attacked demonstrators and are calling for increased funding for higher education.

Serbia’s Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned on January 28 after it transpired that individuals from the Novi Sad office of the Serbian Progressive Party, which he leads, had attacked protesting students. The resignation process has yet to be finalized in the Serbian Parliament.