Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced on Saturday that he plans to resign from his post within the coming weeks, a move that could trigger early elections amid ongoing public unrest and political uncertainty. Speaking to a crowd of supporters in Belgrade, Vucic did not provide a specific timeline for his resignation or for the scheduling of early parliamentary or presidential elections.
Currently serving his second term as president, Vucic is barred by Serbia’s election law from seeking another presidential term. Regular elections for both the presidency and parliament are scheduled for next year. Vucic has previously indicated the possibility of stepping down to pursue the prime ministership, a position considered to hold greater formal power in Serbia’s political system.
“I will be president for several weeks more and then I will submit my resignation,” Vucic told his supporters, promising continued support for his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) ahead of future elections. He expressed confidence that the party will secure a decisive victory, suggesting this speech might be his last as head of state.
Vucic’s announcement comes in the wake of persistent youth-led protests that have challenged his administration’s authority. University students and other demonstrators have been demanding early parliamentary elections for over a year, expressing frustration over what they characterize as Vucic’s increasingly authoritarian governance. Despite these calls, Vucic had previously resisted setting an early election date.
The president’s hold on power has been consolidated over the past 14 years since the SNS assumed control of the Serbian government. However, his administration has faced mounting criticism both domestically and internationally. The situation escalated following a fatal accident in November 2024 at a railway station in northern Serbia, where a falling concrete canopy at the Novi Sad station killed 16 people. This tragedy sparked months of protests demanding government accountability for alleged corruption and negligence in state infrastructure projects.
Authorities responded with a crackdown on demonstrators, leading to hundreds of arrests amid accusations of excessive use of force and arbitrary detentions by police. The European Union has expressed concern over Serbia’s democratic decline, citing restrictions on media freedom and suppression of dissent.
Despite the political turbulence, Vucic reaffirmed his commitment to steering his party through the upcoming electoral contests, maintaining his influence within Serbia’s ruling establishment even as he prepares to vacate the presidency.