Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has indicated he plans to resign from his current post and potentially return as prime minister following snap elections scheduled within the next three to four months. This move would mirror the political strategy employed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who shifted between the presidency and prime ministership to circumvent term limits.
Vučić, who has been a dominant figure in Serbian politics for more than a decade, announced his intention to hold elections soon and suggested he might seek the prime ministerial position afterward if his party, the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), requests it. Speaking at a rally in Belgrade, he said he would remain president only for a few more weeks before stepping down and pledged to ensure transparency in forthcoming decisions.
The announcement comes amid over a year of protests against Vučić’s administration, sparked by public outrage over corruption allegations and perceived authoritarianism. The demonstrations intensified after the collapse of a train station canopy in 2024 that resulted in 16 deaths. The station had been renovated by a Chinese firm, a deal critics say was poorly overseen by the government. The tragedy became a symbol of broader dissatisfaction with Vučić’s governance, particularly allegations of graft and sluggish economic progress.
Vučić is considered one of the last prominent allies of former U.S. President Donald Trump in Central and Eastern Europe. His rhetoric has often mirrored that of Trump, including criticism of the European Union, independent media, and Washington-linked elites, while emphasizing conservative themes such as family values, Christianity, and opposition to gender politics.
His tenure has also been marked by controversial development projects, including a proposed luxury complex backed by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, on the site of the former Yugoslav defense ministry in Belgrade. The location holds particular sensitivity as it was bombed by NATO in 1999 and is viewed by some as a national memorial. The Kushner-backed project was eventually shelved following public backlash and investigations into potential governmental misconduct.
Political analysts suggest Vučić’s recent declarations may serve to test public and political reactions rather than confirm a definitive course. Helena Ivanov, an associate researcher at the Henry Jackson Society, interprets the strategy as an effort to emulate Putin’s approach, underlining that Vučić has already shifted Serbia’s constitutional balance by maintaining control through the SNS party. While the Serbian presidency is largely ceremonial under the country’s constitution, Vučić’s influence remains significant both within the party and across national politics.
“The main thing is, he holds the power,” Ivanov said, adding that the move should not be seen as conceding to protest demands but rather as a way to maintain his political base in a campaign mode.
Putin similarly navigated constitutional term limits between 2008 and 2012 by exchanging roles with the Russian prime minister, maintaining his grip on power over an extended period. Vučić’s announcement suggests he may pursue a comparable path in Serbia.