Serbian President Vucic resigns – way for early elections

Belgrade. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic resigned from office on Sunday, clearing the way for early presidential elections. The move, seven months before the regular end of his second and final term, allows the 56-year-old to take over as prime minister after the snap parliamentary election on October 25 if his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) forms the new government.

“This is the last evening for me in this building,” Vucic said to cheering supporters in front of the official residence in Belgrade. He continued to explain that he had served his country faithfully and was proud of what we had achieved together. Until the election of a new head of state, the first round of which, according to Vucic, should take place by the end of December, the outgoing parliament speaker Ana Brnabic will act as interim president.

Vucic has dominated Serbian politics for more than a decade. Human rights groups accuse him and his allies of an increasingly authoritarian style of government, something the government rejects.

Vucic recently came under pressure due to nationwide protests after the collapse of a canopy at the train station in Novi Sad in November 2024, in which 16 people died. The opposition then called for an end to corruption and early elections.

As part of his resignation, Vucic announced that he had pardoned 49 people who had been arrested or charged in connection with the demonstrations. In next month's parliamentary elections, his SNS party will be running against, among other things, a student anti-corruption movement and a pro-Western opposition alliance.

If the SNS wins the election, Vucic promised an end to corruption, higher pensions and improvements in the state healthcare system. The opposition, however, accuses Vucic and his allies of violence against political opponents, rampant corruption, connections to organized crime and the suppression of media freedom.

The domestic political tensions come at a time when Serbia is performing a balancing act in foreign policy. The country is a candidate for membership of the EU, but at the same time maintains close relations with Russia and China. Before joining the EU, Serbia must improve the rule of law, including the conditions for free and fair elections and the fight against corruption and organized crime. Brussels is also demanding that the government in Belgrade adapt its foreign policy to that of the international community.