• Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announces intention to resign within weeks.
• Protests triggered by the collapse of a railway station awning in 2024, killing 16 people.
• Many citizens doubt Vucic will relinquish power entirely, suspecting a move to the prime ministership.
• Protests are the largest since the ousting of Slobodan Milosevic in 2000.
• Demonstrators continue to demand accountability and early elections in Kraljevo.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced on Saturday that he plans to resign within weeks, a decision that comes amid persistent student-led protests criticizing his government. This announcement is intended to pave the way for early presidential and parliamentary elections following 18 months of demonstrations triggered by a tragic railway accident in Novi Sad in late 2024, which resulted in the deaths of 16 people. Protesters have used this incident to rally against the perceived mismanagement and corruption associated with Vucic's administration, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

During his announcement, Vucic indicated his intention to assist his political party, the Serbian Progressive Party, in winning upcoming elections, stating, "We will win more convincingly than ever before." However, he did not provide a specific timeline for his resignation or the elections, leaving many uncertainties, according to sources including Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Thousands of protesters gathered in Kraljevo, expressing skepticism about Vucic's future political intentions. Many believe he may aim to transition to the more powerful role of prime minister, potentially installing an ally as president to maintain his hold on power. This move reflects a long-standing concern among citizens regarding Vucic’s political maneuvering, highlighted by observations from analysts and demonstrators who argue that "this is not just a political struggle but a fight between good and evil," according to South China Morning Post, and Al Jazeera.

Protesters continue to mobilize as they demand accountability for the tragic events surrounding the railway collapse and broader governance issues associated with Vucic's administration. The protests signify growing unrest against what many see as a decline in democratic norms and governmental accountability, which has drawn expressions of concern from the European Union regarding police actions and media suppression amidst the protests, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.