Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić revealed on Saturday that he intends to step down from his office in the near future, a move that is set to facilitate early presidential and parliamentary elections. Addressing supporters of the governing Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) at a public rally in Belgrade, Vučić stated, “These are my last days and weeks as the republic’s president. After that, I will resign.” His current term, which is his second and final mandate, was originally slated to conclude in 2027.
This declaration follows a period of ongoing anti-corruption protests led by students. The demonstrators have been calling for early elections following the tragedy in November 2024, when 16 individuals lost their lives due to a railway station roof collapse in Novi Sad. These protests have frequently been marked by violent encounters between demonstrators and law enforcement. During a speech broadcast live across major Serbian television networks, Vučić noted, “In the upcoming elections, if the party wants that and asks for it, together with you, I will help win people’s trust.”
While he indicated his planned departure, Vučić did not provide a specific timeline for his official resignation or offer a concrete date for the subsequent elections. Having served as either president or prime minister for the past 12 years, his leadership has been a fixture of Serbian governance. Serbia has held status as an official candidate for European Union membership since 2012.
