“The calendar new year begins tonight, but for us it begins when all the demands of the student protests are met.” Students from the University of Novi Sad in the Serbian city presented in front of thousands of other citizens on New Year’s Eve. like Aleksandar Ratas Reported in Serbian daily newspaper today. Student-led protests began a few weeks ago in November, when the concrete roof of Novi Sad’s central station collapsed, killing 15 people.
Citizens from all walks of life, from farmers and professors to musicians and clergy, have shown solidarity with the rebellious youth. One of the largest protests took place on December 22, when tens of thousands of people rallied against the populist government of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (SNS, right-wing), as seen in the Bulgarian newspaper’s “Picture of the Day”. capital. in todayFormer Mayor of Belgrade and Ambassador to Serbia Opposite Milan Street “Guilty for causing the roof of Novi Sad to collapse and killing 15 innocent people,” Vučić explained. You are the most guilty and the first defendant. The other criminals followed your orders. (…) Their sin follows your sin and comes from your sin.”
According to the same newspaper, which cited Vučić’s interview on Serbian Public Radio: RTSThe president believes the students were looking for an ‘anti-establishment solution’ and consulted with educators but was unable to reach an agreement as union representatives changed their demands. Moreover, Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic pointed out that “professors who do not want to teach will no longer work in education, and students who do not come to class will receive unfair absences.”
Rally in Romania to resume presidential voting
Small groups of citizens staged sporadic protests after Romania’s Constitutional Court canceled the first round of the presidential election held on November 24. To strengthen this movement, the opposition far-right Alliance of Romania (AUR) announced a mass protest on January 12 “against the abusive decisions of the regime led by (President) Klaus Iohannis,” AUR’s press release is quoted in detail. . by Andrey Stan On a Romanian online news platform hot news. “Tens of thousands of Romanians from across the country and the diaspora will gather to demand respect for their vote, a second round of presidential elections, and the fall of the Iohanis regime.”
The lack of complete transparency about the Constitutional Court’s decisions is also one of the reasons that sparked the protests. Romanian investigative agency context Efforts were made to obtain documentation that would clarify the court’s decision, but were unsuccessful. “President Iohanis’ administration is refusing to provide essential documents related to the presidential election that was invalidated by the Constitutional Court,” the Context co-founder wrote. Attila Biro.
Türkiye protests disappointing wage hikes
On Christmas Eve, Turkey’s Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan announced that Turkey’s minimum wage will increase by 30%, reaching TL 22,107 (€603) in 2025. “I hope it helps our country and our country.” Nationalist President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wrote shortly after the announcement, as reported by a Turkish daily. republic. “In 2025, it will not be possible to make a living on the minimum wage. There will be elections,” said Özgür Özel, leader of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), after visiting the Turkish Trade Union Confederation. said. “This is a disaster. But we will not be discouraged by this. We will fight (…) and the most important victory is that this anti-Labor government was quickly brought down. Turkish newspapers said Özel had promised that he would lose power even in the first election, which will open the hearts and eyes of the people. Haverturk.
The Turkish Trade Union Confederation is demanding a 74% wage increase and inflation is expected to remain high, which could lead to a strike. Thousands of people have already gathered in Ankara to protest and call for the government to resign. Hussein Hayatsber of Reuters. “The new minimum wage is an admission by the government’s economic team that its inflation control program is not working,” the journalist said. William Sellars On business news platforms Arabian Gulf Business Insights We came to our conclusion after speaking with Professor Emre Alkin, economist and Dean of Istanbul Topkapi University.
Bulgaria and Romania become full Schengen members.
On a more positive note, Bulgaria and Romania became full members of the Schengen area with their internal borders lifted on January 1, 2025. “Bulgaria’s benefits from its entry into the Schengen zone are estimated by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences to be around 1.6 billion leva (818 million euros) per year. This will accrue to all sectors: the economy, high-speed transport, tourism and especially. It is for airlines, which are our main business,” said Bulgarian Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev. Lily Granicka news platform mediapool.bg.
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