Protesting students in Serbia began a 90-kilometer march on Thursday from the capital, Belgrade, to the northern city of Novi Sad, where a roof collapse in November sparked widespread demonstrations.
The protesters blame the tragedy, which killed 15 people, on government corruption and are demanding those responsible are held to account.
The months of protest reached a head on Monday when protesters staged a 24-hour blockade at a major traffic intersection in Belgrade.
The unrest led the president, Aleksandar Vučić, to say he would meet all the protester’s demands and announce an “urgent and sweeping reshuffle of the government.”
On Tuesday, the prime minister, Miloš Vučević, resigned over the scandal, leaving the country rudderless and facing a choice of a new government or snap elections.
President Vučić said after the resignation that if a new administration could not be formed within 30 days, a general election would automatically be called and said a decision on the issue would be made within 10 days.
Vučić pardoned 13 people on Wednesday—six students and seven school and college staff members—who had faced criminal proceedings for participation in the mass protests.
