The Serbian parliament confirmed academic Djuro Macut as the nation’s new prime minister on Wednesday, following a vote of 153 in favor and 46 against in the 250-seat legislature.

Nominated by President Aleksandar Vučić, Macut steps into the role amid ongoing student protests and political upheaval triggered by a deadly train station collapse last year.

Macut, a political newcomer with a PhD, pledged to advance Serbia’s EU accession and address the Kosovo issue through “open and pressure-free dialogue.” In his address to parliament, he called for unity, urging student protesters to engage in constructive talks. “Serbia is tired of divisions. My job will be to address the dissatisfactions,” he said.

The protests, led by university, college, and high school students, erupted after a November 1, 2024, collapse at Novi Sad’s train station killed 16 people. Demonstrators demand accountability, transparency on construction records, and the release of detained students and academics. While Vučić claims many demands have been met, student groups insist key issues remain unresolved, fueling nationwide unrest.

Macut introduced a 30-member Cabinet, blending eight newcomers with retained ministers. Key holdovers include Sinisa Mali (Finance), Ivica Dačić (Internal Affairs), and Dubravka Đedović Handanović (Mining and Energy). Notable changes include Milica Đurđević Stamenkovski (Labor and Social Affairs), Nemanja Starović (European Integration), and Nikola Selaković (Culture). New appointees include Dragan Glamočić (Agriculture), Sara Pavkov (Environment), and Zlatibor Lončar (Health), among others. Ministers without portfolios are Novica Tončev, Đorđe Milićević, Usame Zukorlić, Nenad Popović, and Tatjana Macura.

The Cabinet aims to balance continuity with reform to quell unrest while aligning with Vučić’s agenda. Macut’s leadership will be tested as Serbia navigates public discontent and its EU aspirations. (ILKHA)