Serbian protesters maintain pressure on president after his claims of stepping down

Thousands of protesters gathered in the Serbian city of Kraljevo on Sunday, continuing their pressure campaign against President Aleksandar Vucic just a day after he announced his intention to resign within weeks. The move is intended to pave the way for early presidential and parliamentary elections.

While many demonstrators expressed satisfaction with Vucic's resignation announcement, a significant concern remains that he may not fully relinquish power. Analysts suggest he could attempt to run for prime minister or install a close ally in the presidency, thereby continuing to exert influence. "I cannot imagine that he will step down and leave power to someone else," said Marko Djokic, a 41-year-old IT expert who returned to his hometown to participate in the protests.

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I cannot imagine that he will step down and leave power to someone else.

Vucic, who has held power as either prime minister or president for the past 12 years, has faced sustained student-led protests since the collapse of a concrete awning at a railway station in Novi Sad in late 2024, an incident that claimed 16 lives. This event has become a symbol of perceived government mismanagement and corruption under his leadership. The subsequent demonstrations mark Serbia's largest public outcry since the overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic in 2000. Vucic has consistently denied any allegations of corruption.

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We cannot go on like this, things need to change.

Despite a heatwave, protesters gathered in Kraljevo's central square, holding banners that read "Students are winning." Many waved Serbian flags during the peaceful rally. "We cannot go on like this, things need to change," stated Ilija Cordasic, who traveled from Zrenjanin to join the demonstration. Jelena Danicic, a Serbian-language professor, described the movement as "not just a political struggle but a fight between good and evil."

International bodies, including the EU, are closely monitoring the situation. Brussels has previously condemned the use of force against peaceful protesters in Serbia and has voiced concerns regarding press freedom and judicial independence. Serbia is an EU candidate country, but maintains significant ties with both Russia and China, with Vucic navigating a complex diplomatic path between these relationships.

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This is not just a political struggle but a fight between good and evil.