Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced his resignation, concluding his second term prematurely and setting the stage for presidential elections anticipated later this year. Vucic’s departure comes ahead of Serbia’s snap parliamentary election scheduled for October 25, potentially positioning him to pursue the role of prime minister if his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and allies garner enough support to form a government.
In accordance with Serbia’s constitution, Ana Brnabic, the Parliament Speaker, will assume the role of interim president until a new head of state is elected. Vucic has indicated that the first round of the presidential election is expected to take place by the end of December.
The upcoming parliamentary election presents a significant challenge to Vucic’s political influence, with his party and allies facing competition from opposition groups, including the student-led Students Win movement and the European Serbia coalition. Vucic has been a dominant force in Serbian politics for over a decade, having served as prime minister prior to his presidency, which began in 2017.
During his tenure, Serbia has sought to enhance economic ties with China and maintain relations with Russia while also pursuing its long-term goal of joining the European Union. The country has also bolstered its relations with Israel and the United States, recently inaugurating a facility for producing Israeli-designed military drones to expand its defense capabilities.
Vucic’s administration has faced continuous protests following the November 2024 collapse of a railway station awning in Novi Sad, resulting in 16 fatalities. Protesters have called for greater transparency, accountability, and action against corruption. The protests have intensified pressure on the government, with several officials being arrested or resigning in the aftermath of the disaster. In response, Vucic announced pardons and amnesties for numerous individuals involved in the protests.