REUTERS ON THE GATHERING IN KRALJEVO: Thousands of people on the streets ignored the tropical heat, the world writes about the historical rebellion and the slogan “Students win”!

A day after the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, said that he would resign and pave the way for early presidential and parliamentary elections, thousands of protesters are expected in the Serbian city of Kraljevo, the British agency Reuters writes today.

According to the agency, Vučić, who has been in power as prime minister or president for 12 years, has faced months of student-led protests sparked by the collapse of a concrete canopy at the railway station in Novi Sad in late 2024, which killed 16 people.

The incident became a symbol of what many see as government mismanagement and corruption under Vučić, and the protests that followed were the largest in Serbia since the overthrow of Slobodan Milošević in 2000, the agency states, pointing out that Vučić denies any corruption.

It also quotes a female protester who says that this is not about a political struggle but about a struggle between good and evil.

People ignored the heat and came to Kraljevo, where vendors sold T-shirts with the words “Students win”, Reuters states, adding that what were initially demands for justice for those killed in the canopy collapse later turned into calls for Vučić’s removal from power and for early elections.

Although many protesters feel victorious after Vučić’s announcement, they do not expect him to disappear from the political scene, Reuters states.

Analysts say he could try to run for prime minister and place an ally in the presidency so he can continue to hold power, the agency writes.

The agency quotes a protester who says he cannot imagine that Vučić will resign and leave power to someone else.

The agency points out that Serbia is at the eastern gate of the EU and a candidate for accession to the block, but that Belgrade still has strong ties with Russia and China, which is, it adds, a line that Vučić had to walk carefully.

Before joining the EU, Serbia must improve the rule of law, including conditions for free and fair elections, and root out corruption and organized crime, Reuters states, adding that Serbia must also align its foreign policy with that of the block and establish ties with its former province of Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008.

Brussels and Moscow will be watching to see how things unfold in the coming weeks, Reuters states.

The agency adds that the EU condemned the use of force against peaceful protesters and showed concern over media freedom and the independence of the judiciary.