Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic has resigned seven months before the scheduled end of his second term, paving the way for a presidential election while positioning himself to seek the prime minister’s post in the October 25 snap parliamentary election.
BELGRADE, Sept 2026 : Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic resigned on Sunday, ending his second and final five-year term and triggering a process that will lead to an early presidential election. His resignation comes less than a month before Serbia’s October 25 snap parliamentary election, in which his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) is seeking another mandate.
Vucic had announced earlier that he planned to step down and participate in the parliamentary election as an ordinary citizen. The SNS has nominated him to head its electoral list and seek the prime minister’s position if the party and its allies succeed in forming the next government.
Addressing supporters outside the Presidency building in central Belgrade before submitting his resignation, Vucic said it was his final evening in the building. He thanked citizens for the trust they had placed in him and said he had served Serbia faithfully.
“I am resigning as president,” Vucic said before signing the resignation letter. He said he would hand over his duties to Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic, who will serve as acting president until a successor is elected.
Under Serbia’s constitutional framework, a presidential election must now be held within the prescribed period. Vucic said the presidential vote would take place by the end of December. Brnabic, a close political ally and former prime minister, will temporarily exercise the functions of president during the transition.
The October 25 parliamentary election follows months of political tensions and student-led demonstrations. The protests began after a concrete canopy at the railway station in Novi Sad collapsed on November 1, 2024, killing 16 people. Students and opposition groups subsequently demanded accountability, greater transparency in public procurement, measures against corruption and early parliamentary elections.
Rights groups and protesters have accused Vucic and his political allies of concentrating power and weakening democratic institutions. Protesters have also alleged police violence and unfair detentions. The government and Vucic’s allies have rejected accusations that they were responsible for the problems highlighted by the demonstrations.
The parliamentary contest will bring the SNS and its allies into competition with the student-backed “Students Win” movement and opposition groups seeking a change in government. The student movement emerged from the protests and has called for investigations into alleged corruption, greater transparency in public spending and stronger safeguards against political interference in state institutions.
Vucic, 56, has been a dominant figure in Serbian politics for more than a decade. He served as deputy prime minister before becoming prime minister in 2014 and president in 2017. Although the presidency is formally the country’s head-of-state position, Vucic has retained substantial influence over the SNS and Serbia’s political direction.
His foreign policy has sought to balance relations with several major powers. Serbia maintains close economic and energy ties with China and Russia while continuing to pursue membership of the European Union. Belgrade has also sought stronger relations with the United States and Israel.
The Novi Sad railway station disaster became a major turning point for Vucic’s government. Several officials faced political or legal consequences following the tragedy, while nationwide demonstrations continued for months. The government has denied accusations of systemic corruption linked to the collapse.
Before leaving office, Vucic also announced pardons for 49 people, including activists and supporters of his party who had been arrested, prosecuted or convicted in connection with the protests. He said the measure was among his final acts as president.
Serbia’s October 25 parliamentary election will therefore determine the composition of the next government, while Vucic’s resignation has set in motion a separate presidential contest expected before the end of the year.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
