Serbia passes law to lower university fees as protests mount

Serbian lawmakers on Thursday passed an education bill that would slash university tuition fees, meeting a key demand made by student-led demonstrators in the Balkan country.

The vote came two days after opposition lawmakers lit flares and released smoke canisters in parliament in a show of support for the protest movement.

"Hopefully, we will now return to classes," said parliamentary speaker Ana Brnabic after the vote which would reduce fees by up to 50 percent.

The bill is the latest in a series of concessions made by the government to stem unrest sparked by the deaths of 15 people when a railway station roof collapsed in the city of Novi Sad in November.

The deaths ignited long-simmering anger over corruption and the alleged lack of oversight for construction and development projects.

The daily protests led by students have put mounting pressure on President Aleksandar Vucic's government, prompting the resignation of several high-ranking officials, including the prime minister.

Vucic and other officials have swung between calling for talks and accusing the demonstrators of being backed by foreign powers.

The government has sought to meet several of the protest organisers' demands.

These include releasing some documents on renovations at the Novi Sad station; pardoning protesters arrested at rallies; measures to improve higher education; and launching criminal proceedings against suspects accused of attacking demonstrators.

A group of experts said however that key documents on the Novi Sad station reconstruction remain unpublished, while several assailants who attacked protesters had yet to be identified.

University students have led the protest movement which has drawn thousands to demonstrations across Serbia.

The parliament vote came nearly a week after tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Nis last weekend, in the latest mass demonstration.

Protesters have called for another large rally in Belgrade on March 15.