Students have called for legal proceedings to be dropped against demonstrators, and for the prosecution of assailants who have attacked the protesters in previous protests.
President Aleksandar Vucic who on Saturday said he “doesn’t really care” about the protests, assessed the demonstration as “significantly large gathering”.
In an Instagram video post from the presidency building, close to the protest site, allegedly during the event, Vucic remarked that he is “ready” to hear the protesters demands.
“These people are opposition-oriented, and I have always been willing to hear what they think, how they think, and what they believe is important for our country,” Vucic said.
In a bid to calm the protests, the authorities over past weeks promised various subsidies for young people.
On Friday, the government announced plans to close schools early for winter holidays.
Students continued to protest, however. Almost all faculties at state universities across the country are blockaded by students.
“I am here because enough is enough. We all took to the streets because this really does not make sense what is being done in this country”, said architect Daria Poljolka, 27.
Fourteen people, aged between six and 74, were killed on November 1 when the roof collapsed after major renovation works on the station. A 15th victim died in hospital weeks later.
© 2024 AFP
