Žarko Mićin, the mayor of Novi Sad, stated that it is absolutely necessary to put the Novi Sad railway station into operation as soon as possible. He emphasized his readiness for dialogue with the opposition but declared he will not yield to violence. Mićin highlighted that the results of the Serbian Progressive Party in Novi Sad are the best response to the aggressive opposition, citing the opening of new factories and economic development in the city. He pointed out issues in dialogue with the opposition, which, according to him, does not present concrete problems but pushes the narrative that the canopy at the railway station fell due to corruption. Mićin condemned attacks on SNS premises in Novi Sad and noted that the city was blocked for three months due to opposition attempts to prevent the adoption of the budget, which further escalated tensions. He stressed that the Petrovaradin station does not have adequate capacity for citizens’ needs and that there is a transitional solution for the Novi Sad station that would allow passengers to safely access the platforms.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning reports tend to emphasize the need for dialogue and peaceful resolution of political tensions, highlighting the mayor’s willingness to engage with the opposition while condemning violence. They may also focus on the social and economic development aspects, such as the opening of new factories, as positive outcomes of the current administration.
Center: Center-leaning coverage presents a balanced view, reporting both the mayor’s statements about the necessity to operationalize the railway station and the political tensions between the ruling party and the opposition. It highlights the factual events such as the attacks on party premises, the budget blockades, and the infrastructural challenges without strong bias.
Right: Right-leaning narratives emphasize the achievements of the Serbian Progressive Party in Novi Sad, portraying the opposition as aggressive and irrational. They support the mayor’s firm stance against violence and frame the opposition’s actions as attempts to destabilize the city. The focus is on law and order, economic progress, and the necessity to maintain political stability.