Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic Announces Resignation and Early Elections

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told supporters at a rally in Belgrade on 27 June that he will step down in a few weeks and call early presidential and parliamentary elections, likely within the next three to four months. Vucic, who first won the presidency in April 2017 and was re‑elected in May 2022, said he will remain leader of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and intends to help the party win the snap contests. Analysts note he could stay in power by moving to the prime‑ministerial post if the SNS secures a parliamentary majority.

The resignation comes as student‑led anti‑corruption protests enter their second year, triggered by the November 2024 collapse of a canopy at Novi Sad train station that killed 16 people. Demonstrators have been demanding an early vote to address perceived government mismanagement and corruption. Vucic’s announcement also follows recent diplomatic ties with China, including a 2026 visit to Beijing where he received a friendship medal, and a European Court of Human Rights ruling that Serbia violated protest rights.

The move marks a significant shift in Serbia’s political landscape and sets the stage for a potentially contested election season.