Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced on Saturday that he would resign within weeks and that the country would hold early presidential and parliamentary elections. The decision follows 18 months of anti-government protests, the largest since the overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic in 2000.
Background of Protests
The demonstrations were triggered by the collapse of an awning at a railway station in Novi Sad in November 2024, which killed 16 people. Protesters, opposition groups, and rights organizations allege the disaster reflects broader government mismanagement of construction projects and corruption.
Vucic, who has held power as president or prime minister for 12 years, addressed a pro-government rally in Belgrade, stating, "I will be president for only a couple more weeks, and then I will resign." His second and final presidential term was due to expire in mid-2027.
Election Plans
Vucic said he would help his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) win both the presidential election and the early parliamentary vote, originally scheduled for 2027. He proposed naming the party's list "United Serbia." However, he did not specify the exact date of his resignation or when he would dissolve parliament, a prerequisite for early parliamentary elections.
Analysts suggest Vucic is unlikely to leave the political stage. His resignation could allow him to become prime minister if his party wins the parliamentary elections, continuing a trend where power follows Vucic regardless of his title. "This is not at all the end of Vucic," said Radivoje Grujic, a Warsaw-based analyst. "He already has a plan, one that definitely does not mean he's going to go into political retirement - quite the opposite."
Impact of Protests
The timing of Saturday's announcement indicates the protests have had an impact. Days earlier, students in Novi Sad commemorated the disaster victims and demanded snap general elections. Another student rally is scheduled for Sunday in Kraljevo. Activists from the student-led movement and the opposition have expressed their intention to challenge Vucic and the SNS in the upcoming elections.
