Vladimir Vrsajkov, head of the Novi Sad branch of Serbia’s opposition Freedom and Justice Party (SSP), said Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is not welcome in the city, accusing his government of political responsibility for the tragedy at Novi Sad’s railway station.
“Novi Sad is not welcoming Vučić. The city remembers its victims,” Vrsajkov said in a statement on Tuesday.
Vrsajkov described Vučić as the “main suspect” in what he alleged was an organized criminal structure responsible for the railway station disaster.
He also criticized Deputy Mayor Žarko Mićin over claims that large numbers of Novi Sad residents were preparing to gather at Freedom Square to congratulate Vučić for what he described as his achievements in the city.
Vrsajkov said such support would only make sense if corruption, the destruction of Novi Sad and the railway station tragedy were considered reasons for celebration.
The SSP official also claimed that Vučić’s planned visit would involve hundreds of buses, several hundred people he described as “enforcers” and at least 1,000 police officers.
According to Vrsajkov, the scale of the security operation and mobilization demonstrated that Vučić had lost public support in Novi Sad.
“Novosađani will make this very clear at the elections ahead,” Vrsajkov said.
His comments come amid heightened political tensions in Novi Sad, where the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) is expected to hold a major rally as part of its political campaign.
The railway station tragedy has remained a central issue in Serbia’s political crisis, with opposition parties and protesters continuing to demand accountability over the deaths and the circumstances surrounding the station’s reconstruction.
