Aleksandar Vucic has resigned as Serbia's president, seven months before his term ends, to lead his party in the upcoming October 25 parliamentary elections.
Key facts
- •Aleksandar Vucic has served as either prime minister or president of Serbia since 2014.
- •The October 25 snap parliamentary election will test the Serbian Progressive Party's hold on power.
- •Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic will act as interim president following Vucic's resignation.
- •Protests against the government were sparked by a fatal train station roof collapse in Novi Sad.
- •Vucic has maintained a policy of balancing relations between China, Russia, the EU, and the United States.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced his resignation on September 27, 2026, ending his second five-year term early. The move allows Vucic to run as the candidate for prime minister for the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in the snap parliamentary elections scheduled for October 25. Vucic, who has been a dominant figure in Serbian politics for over a decade, stated he would lead his party in the upcoming ballot.
By the numbers
Political Context and Election Plans
Vucic’s current presidential term was set to conclude in May 2027, but he is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term. By resigning now, he aims to secure the position of prime minister, a role that is formally more powerful than the presidency in the Serbian system. Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic will serve as interim president until a new election is completed, which Vucic stated is expected to occur in the first round by the end of December.
Protests and Opposition
The upcoming election follows a period of sustained anti-government protests that began in November 2025. These demonstrations were triggered by the collapse of a train station roof in Novi Sad, which resulted in 15 or 16 deaths, depending on the report. Protesters have blamed the disaster on government corruption and have demanded accountability. Vucic’s party faces challenges from opposition groups, including the student-led 'Students Win' movement and the 'European Serbia' alliance.
Timeline
- November 2025Anti-government protests began following a fatal train station roof collapse in Novi Sad.
- September 9, 2026Vucic dissolved parliament and announced a snap legislative election.
- September 27, 2026Aleksandar Vucic officially announced his resignation as president.
- October 25, 2026The scheduled date for the snap parliamentary elections.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Kyiv Independent, Straits Times World, CBC World.
