Serbia’s President, Aleksandar Vučić, announced his resignation on Sunday, seven months before the end of his term. The decision paves the way for early presidential elections. Vučić hopes to return to government leadership after the parliamentary elections on October 25.
Vučić has been elected president twice and, according to the Constitution, cannot be elected for a third term. Until a successor is elected, his duties will be assumed by the Parliament’s President, Ana Brnabić, as reported by Reuters.
Two Rounds of Elections
According to Serbian legislation, presidential elections must be organized within three months of the head of state's resignation. Vučić stated on Sunday on the public television RTS that these elections will take place more than a month after the parliamentary election on October 25. Serbians will thus go to the polls twice this year.
"I call for full concentration, for absolute focus on the parliamentary elections and victory, because the parliamentary elections will determine the path Serbia will follow," Vučić declared.
The Serbian leader had announced back in June that he would resign. If the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) secures the necessary support to form the government, Vučić could be proposed for the position of prime minister.
The elections come after nearly two years of anti-corruption protests led by students. The demonstrations began after the collapse of a canopy at Novi Sad train station in November 2024, a tragedy in which 16 people died.