The Serbian civil rights ProGlas movement called for a transitional government, saying it's the “least painful” way out of the political crisis gripping the Balkan nation.
A wave of demonstrations was triggered by the railway station roof collapse in Novi Sad that killed 15 people three months ago. The first protests blamed the tragedy on corruption and nepotism and have snowballed into Serbia's most significant political crisis in years.
Students have taken center stage in the anti-government protests that have paralyzed the country and led to the dismissal of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and two other ministers.
Daily protests are being held in over 300 towns and cities across Serbia, according to ProGlas peaking on Saturday, when thousands of students marched for four days to the central Serbian city of Kragujevac, 140 km from Belgrade.
“The magnificent nationwide gathering of students and citizens... is yet another confirmation that the current government has lost its legitimacy,” the statement issued on Monday by a group of academics, actors, and journalists at the helm of ProGlas said.
It added that the political crisis in Serbia has reached its peak, noting that “State universities have been in lockdown for three months. The majority of employees in primary and secondary schools have also suspended classes. Lawyers are halfway through their one-month strike, which has largely paralyzed the judiciary.”
Students have taken center stage in the anti-government protests that have paralyzed the country and led to the dismissal of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and two other ministers.
Daily protests are being held in over 300 towns and cities across Serbia, according to ProGlas peaking on Saturday, when thousands of students marched for four days to the central Serbian city of Kragujevac, 140 km from Belgrade.
“The magnificent nationwide gathering of students and citizens... is yet another confirmation that the current government has lost its legitimacy,” the statement issued on Monday by a group of academics, actors, and journalists at the helm of ProGlas said.
It added that the political crisis in Serbia has reached its peak, noting that “State universities have been in lockdown for three months. The majority of employees in primary and secondary schools have also suspended classes. Lawyers are halfway through their one-month strike, which has largely paralyzed the judiciary.”
‘The perception of corruption’
According to ProGlas, a transitional government is the only way to meet the students demands and ensure fair elections that would reinstate legitimate governing bodies.
The statement proposes that the temporary government should have limited powers and a three-to nine-month mandate.
The statement said that a reduced cabinet composed of unaffiliated experts would be appointed, who would not be able to run in the following elections.
Its authors said they would not seek to become part of the transitional government. ProGlas has also called on the country's chief public prosecutor and the state-owned media company RTS general director to resign.
Miroslav Aleksić, the president of the center-right National Movement of Serbia political party, welcomed the initiative.
The presidency is traditionally ceremonial, but Vučić, a former prime minister, is still considered influential.
Neither the students nor ProGlas have called for the overthrow of the populist President Aleksandar Vučić who has been in office for more than decade.
But their persistence has created one of the biggest threats to the president’s long grip on power, political analysts said.
“Vučić finds himself in what is probably the most vulnerable position since his party first formed the government in 2012. The perception of corruption remains the key issue for protesters, who are likely to remain active until they receive meaningful guarantees on the issue,” Mario Bikarski, senior Europe analyst at risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, told Reuters.
The statement said that a reduced cabinet composed of unaffiliated experts would be appointed, who would not be able to run in the following elections.
Its authors said they would not seek to become part of the transitional government. ProGlas has also called on the country's chief public prosecutor and the state-owned media company RTS general director to resign.
Miroslav Aleksić, the president of the center-right National Movement of Serbia political party, welcomed the initiative.
The presidency is traditionally ceremonial, but Vučić, a former prime minister, is still considered influential.
Neither the students nor ProGlas have called for the overthrow of the populist President Aleksandar Vučić who has been in office for more than decade.
But their persistence has created one of the biggest threats to the president’s long grip on power, political analysts said.
“Vučić finds himself in what is probably the most vulnerable position since his party first formed the government in 2012. The perception of corruption remains the key issue for protesters, who are likely to remain active until they receive meaningful guarantees on the issue,” Mario Bikarski, senior Europe analyst at risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, told Reuters.
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