Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic Announces Resignation and Early Elections

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced his intention to resign within weeks and called for early presidential and parliamentary elections. The decision follows eighteen months of anti-government protests in the country.

Key points

• Vucic, who has been in power for 13 years, stated he would assist his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in the upcoming elections.
• The protests were triggered by a November 2024 tragedy in Novi Sad where a railway station roof collapse killed 16 people.
• Demonstrators have accused the government of corruption, mismanagement of infrastructure projects, and media suppression.
• The president's second term was originally scheduled to conclude in mid-2027.
• The exact date for the resignation and the dissolution of parliament remains unconfirmed.

Why it matters

The resignation of a long-standing leader amid sustained civil unrest marks a significant political shift in Serbia, potentially impacting the country's EU integration path and its foreign policy orientation.