Serbian president nominates medical professor as prime minister

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has nominated Djuro Macut, a medical professor with no political experience, as the country's new prime minister following the resignation of the previous prime minister amid widespread anti-government protests.

Protests erupted after a deadly incident in November, when the roof of a railway station collapsed, killing 16 people. Demonstrators have accused the government of corruption and incompetence, posing the biggest challenge to Vucic's 12-year rule, Caliber.Az reports, citing Western media.

The government rejects these accusations, claiming that Western intelligence agencies are attempting to destabilize Serbia, a nation of 6.6 million people.

In a public address on Sunday, Vucic announced Macut as his choice for prime minister, stating that Macut must propose a new cabinet by April 18. Macut, 62, is a professor of endocrinology at Belgrade University and has previously supported Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

Opposition parties have criticized the nomination, suggesting that Macut will merely serve as a puppet for Vucic.

"The prime minister-designate can be anyone, or nobody, as long as Vucic remains in power," said Pavle Grbovic, head of the Movement of Free Citizens. "Expertise in polycystic ovaries is not relevant to leading a government, which requires a different kind of knowledge," added Boris Tadic, former president and leader of the opposition Social Democratic Party.

The government-controlled parliament is expected to approve Macut, who will succeed SNS leader Milos Vucevic, following his resignation in March. Protesters are calling for a transitional government before the 2027 parliamentary and presidential elections.

By Khagan Isayev