In a surprise political maneuver, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has nominated Djuro Macut—a respected endocrinologist and medical professor at the University of Belgrade—as the country’s new prime minister. The announcement, made on April 7, marks a shift from conventional political appointments, bringing an academic with no prior experience in high-level governance to the forefront of Serbian politics.
This nomination comes at a moment of heightened tension in Serbia, following months of widespread anti-government protests. The unrest was triggered by a tragic incident in November 2024, when the collapse of a railway station roof in the northern city of Novi Sad claimed 16 lives. Public outrage over the catastrophe quickly evolved into broader accusations of systemic corruption, poor infrastructure oversight, and government negligence.
Former Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned in March in response to growing pressure from protest movements demanding accountability and reform. In the wake of his resignation, demonstrators have called for a transitional government and the early organization of free and fair elections—currently scheduled for 2027. Many citizens feel that the political establishment, dominated by Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), has become disconnected from the everyday struggles of the public.
President Vucic’s decision to appoint Macut appears to be a strategic effort to project change and technocratic competence. At 62, Macut is a specialist in endocrinology and has spent much of his professional life within academia. Though he has supported the SNS in previous election campaigns, he holds no known background in politics or public administration. Critics argue this lack of experience could render him ineffective in navigating the turbulent political waters Serbia currently faces.
The opposition has not minced words in reacting to the nomination. Pavle Grbovic, leader of the Movement of Free Citizens, dismissed the move, stating: “The prime minister-designate can be anyone or nobody as long as Vucic remains the head of the state.” Meanwhile, former Serbian President Boris Tadic took a more pointed jab: “Knowledge about polycystic ovaries is not a reference for running the government, which requires a completely different kind of expertise.”
Despite such criticisms, it is highly likely that Macut will secure the role, given the ruling SNS’s dominance in the Serbian parliament. He is expected to present a full cabinet by April 18. However, his ability to appease public anger, restore trust in institutions, and manage a government under siege remains to be seen.
While the government maintains that the protests are being stoked by foreign intelligence services aiming to destabilize the country, opposition groups insist the demonstrations are a genuine cry for reform. With a politically inexperienced prime minister poised to take the helm, Serbia now stands at a crossroads—between a familiar path of centralized control and the uncertain road toward democratic renewal.
As Professor Djuro Macut steps into the political arena, the nation watches closely, caught between hope for technocratic reform and skepticism about his ability to counterbalance President Vucic’s deeply entrenched power.