**Vucic Resigns as President, Sets Sights on Prime Minister Role Amid Upcoming Elections**
Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic announced his resignation on Sunday, concluding his second and final five-year term and initiating the process for early presidential elections. This decision comes just seven months before the official end of his term and coincides with the campaigning for the snap parliamentary elections scheduled for October 25.
Vucic's resignation paves the way for him to potentially assume the role of prime minister if his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) successfully forms the new government following the parliamentary elections. In a statement made in late June, Vucic indicated his intention to resign and confirmed that both presidential and parliamentary elections would take place early.
During a farewell address to supporters gathered outside the Presidency building in Belgrade, Vucic expressed pride in his service to the nation. “This is the last evening for me in this building,” he stated, addressing a crowd waving flags. “I have faithfully served you and my fatherland, Serbia, … I am proud of what we have done together,” he added.
Under Serbia's constitutional framework, the outgoing Parliament Speaker, Ana Brnabic, will assume the role of interim president until a new president is elected. The constitution mandates that the presidential election must occur within 90 days, with the campaign period lasting between 30 and 60 days. Vucic noted that the first round of presidential elections is expected to be completed by the end of December.
The upcoming parliamentary elections will serve as a critical test of Vucic's political influence, as his SNS faces off against opposition groups, including Students Win, a student-led anti-corruption movement, and European Serbia, an alliance of pro-Western parties. As of now, these opposition parties have not yet announced their presidential candidates.
Vucic, who is 56 years old, has been a dominant figure in Serbian politics for over a decade. His political career began during the tumultuous era of the late Slobodan Milosevic, where he served as a hardline nationalist and information minister. He later held positions as deputy prime minister from 2012 to 2014 and as prime minister from 2014 to 2017 before transitioning to the presidency in 2017. Despite moving to a largely ceremonial role, Vucic has maintained significant control over both his party and the government.
In terms of foreign policy, Vucic has sought to balance Serbia's relationships with major global players, fostering closer ties with China, a key investor, and Russia, which is Serbia's main supplier of natural gas, while also pursuing the long-term goal of European Union membership. He has also made efforts to strengthen relations with the United States and Israel.
Vucic's presidency faced significant challenges, particularly following a tragic incident in November 2024, when the awning of a newly reconstructed railway station in Novi Sad collapsed, resulting in the deaths of 16 individuals. This disaster ignited nationwide protests led by students and opposition groups, who called for accountability, transparency in public procurement, an end to systemic corruption, and early parliamentary elections. The government has consistently denied the protesters' allegations, although several officials, including two ministers, faced arrests or resignations in the aftermath of the incident.
In a move that may be seen as an attempt to quell dissent, Vucic announced on Sunday that he had granted amnesty and pardons to 49 individuals, including 12 activists and 11 supporters of his own party, who were arrested or tried in connection with the protests.
As Serbia prepares for a pivotal electoral period, Vucic's resignation marks a significant shift in the political landscape, with the potential for his return to a leadership role as prime minister depending on the outcomes of the upcoming parliamentary elections.