Serbian prime minister to resign as popular protests persist

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic on Tuesday announced his resignation, becoming the highest ranking official to leave since anti-corruption protests spread across the country.

Belgrade has seen daily anti-government protests since a roof collapsed in November at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia's second-largest city, killing 15 people.

Protesters including students, teachers and other workers have turned out in their thousands, blaming the disaster on corruption within the government of President Aleksandar Vucic.

"I opted for this step in order to reduce tensions", Vucevic told a news conference on Tuesday, announcing his intention to resign. He said the mayor of Novi Sad will also resign.

"With this we have met all demands of the most radical protestors."

Vucevic has been the head of the ruling centre-right Serbia Progressive Party since 2023.