Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced his resignation, concluding his second five-year term prematurely and setting the stage for upcoming presidential elections expected later this year. This move comes ahead of Serbia’s snap parliamentary election scheduled for October 25, potentially enabling Vucic to pursue the role of prime minister if his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and its allies secure enough votes to form the next government.
In accordance with Serbia’s constitution, Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic will temporarily assume the presidential duties until a new president is elected. Vucic indicated that the first round of the presidential election is anticipated to occur by the end of December.
The snap parliamentary election presents a challenge to Vucic’s longstanding political influence, with his SNS and allied parties facing competition from opposition groups, notably the student-led Students Win movement and the European Serbia coalition. Vucic has been a key figure in Serbian politics for over a decade, having served as prime minister before his presidency began in 2017.
During Vucic’s presidency, Serbia has advanced its economic ties with China and maintained its relationships with Russia, while still pursuing its long-term ambition of joining the European Union. The country has also enhanced its connections with Israel and the United States, recently inaugurating a facility for manufacturing Israeli-designed military drones as part of efforts to bolster its defense capabilities.
Vucic’s administration has been under pressure following persistent protests stemming from the collapse of a railway station awning in Novi Sad in November 2024, which resulted in 16 fatalities. Protesters have called for accountability, improved transparency, and measures against corruption. These demonstrations have intensified scrutiny on the government, leading to the arrest or resignation of several officials involved in the incident. In response to the protests, Vucic announced pardons and amnesties for numerous individuals linked to the demonstrations.