Serbia is facing the possibility of snap parliamentary elections in April, following the resignation of prime minister Milos Vucevic on January 28. Vucevic’s departure comes after weeks of protests that were ignited by a deadly collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad last November.

In an announcement on January 28, President Aleksandar Vucic said that the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) would make a decision within the next 10 days on whether to call an election or form a new government through the existing parliament. The SNS has yet to put forward a candidate for prime minister.

The resignation of Vucevic, a prominent SNS member and former mayor of Novi Sad, comes as the government faces increasing political pressure. The tragic collapse of the railway station canopy on November 1, 2024, resulted in the deaths of 15 people. The incident, widely blamed on government negligence and alleged corruption, led to mass protests across the country.

In an attempt to end the almost daily protests, the government heeded most of the protesters' demands on January 27. Vucic promised a major cabinet reshuffle and the release of all the documents related to the Novi Sad station reconstruction. The government also confirmed it would grant pardons to 13 students and professors arrested during earlier protests.

Despite the concilatory efforts of the government, protests have continued and show little sign of abating. The opposition, however, has struggled to present a unified response or an alternative to the ruling party. For that reason, Vucic may see snap elections as a way to consolidate power and reaffirm his legitimacy, putting an end to his biggest crisis yet.