Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced his resignation, setting the stage for presidential elections expected by the end of the year. This decision comes ahead of Serbia’s snap parliamentary elections on October 25, during which Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and its allies will vie for control against opposition groups, including the student-led Students Win movement and the European Serbia coalition.
Under the Serbian constitution, Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic will serve as interim president until a new leader is elected. Vucic’s resignation marks the end of his second five-year term as president, a position he assumed in 2017 after serving as prime minister. His move could allow him to pursue the role of prime minister again if his party secures enough support in the parliamentary elections.
Throughout his presidency, Vucic has remained a central figure in Serbian politics, steering the country towards closer economic ties with China while maintaining relationships with Russia and pursuing Serbia’s long-term goal of joining the European Union. Additionally, Serbia has bolstered its international relations, particularly with Israel and the United States, recently inaugurating a facility for producing Israeli-designed military drones to enhance its defense capabilities.
Vucic’s government has faced significant domestic pressure following the collapse of a railway station awning in Novi Sad in November 2024, which resulted in 16 fatalities. The incident sparked widespread protests demanding government accountability, increased transparency, and measures against corruption. In response, several officials have faced arrest or resignation, and Vucic announced pardons and amnesties for dozens connected to the protests.
The upcoming elections pose a challenge to Vucic’s political dominance, as his party seeks to maintain its influence amid growing opposition. The political landscape in Serbia is poised for potential shifts as voters prepare to cast their ballots in both parliamentary and presidential contests in the coming months.