Aleksandar Vučić has resigned as president of Serbia following over a year of protests and public dissatisfaction regarding allegations of government corruption. In a statement made outside the presidential building in Belgrade, Vučić noted that his administration had maintained peace and stability during his nine-year term. He had previously indicated his intention to resign in June and is expected to be his party's candidate for prime minister in the forthcoming parliamentary elections, as he is ineligible for a third presidential term under Serbia's constitution.
The resignation follows significant public unrest, which was initially sparked by the collapse of the roof of the Novi Sad railway station in 2024, resulting in 16 fatalities. This incident led to widespread protests involving various groups, including students, teachers, workers, and farmers, who expressed their discontent with the Progressive Party's governance, which Vučić has led for over a decade.
Despite a series of resignations from officials within his administration, protests persisted throughout the summer, escalating into unrest amid allegations of police brutality. Vučić's presidency was set to end next year, and under Serbian law, presidential elections must occur within three months of a president's resignation. Consequently, Serbia will hold elections twice before the end of the year.
The presidential election is scheduled to take place more than a month after the snap parliamentary election in late October, which was called in response to the protests that included demands for a vote. Vučić has expressed his intention to run in the parliamentary election as the leader of the Progressive Party, potentially allowing him to maintain a significant role in Serbian politics.
In the interim, parliamentary speaker Ana Brnabić, also a member of the Progressive Party, will serve as the acting president until a new president is elected. Vučić has utilized his constitutional authority to pardon 49 individuals, including 23 students and party supporters, who were implicated in offenses related to the events of the past year and a half, as reported by Serbian public broadcaster RTS.
The upcoming parliamentary elections will see Vučić's Progressive Party contend against a student-led anti-corruption movement known as Students Win and a coalition of pro-Western opposition parties referred to as European Serbia. Vučić has been a prominent figure in Serbian politics since becoming prime minister in 2014 and later being elected president in 2017. He has publicly advocated for Serbia's EU membership while also fostering close ties with Russia and encouraging Chinese investment in the country.