Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced that he will formally resign on Sunday evening, ending his second presidential term. He will contest the October 25 snap parliamentary election as an ordinary candidate. Vucic will submit his resignation at around 8 pm local time, which will be handed to National Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabic. According to the constitution, Brnabic is expected to become the acting president.
Vucic's resignation does not mark his exit from politics. He will run in the parliamentary election as an ordinary citizen and lead the Serbian Progressive Party's electoral list. If his resignation takes effect, a presidential election must be called within three months. This means the presidential vote cannot be held on the same day as the October 25 parliamentary poll. Vucic has been serving as Serbia's president since April 2017.
The decision to resign and contest the parliamentary election follows two years of political pressure. Large anti-government protests were triggered by a 2024 railway station collapse in Novi Sad that killed 16 people. Vucic dissolved parliament earlier this month, prompting the early parliamentary election scheduled for October 25. He won a second five-year term in April 2022, the maximum allowed under the constitution.
After Vucic's resignation, Speaker Ana Brnabic will assume the duties of acting president. Electoral authorities will prepare for a separate presidential election within the constitutional three-month window. Vucic aims to lead the Serbian Progressive Party's list and, if successful, become prime minister after the October 25 parliamentary vote.
Vucic's move marks a significant development in Serbian politics. His decision to resign and contest the parliamentary election has set off a chain of events that will shape the country's future. The October 25 parliamentary election will be a crucial test for Vucic and his party.
The snap parliamentary election was called after Vucic dissolved parliament earlier this month. The decision was made amid growing political pressure and protests. Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party will likely face stiff competition from other parties in the election.
As Vucic prepares to hand over the presidency to Ana Brnabic, he is expected to focus on the parliamentary election campaign. His goal is to lead the Serbian Progressive Party to victory and become prime minister. The outcome of the election will have significant implications for Serbia's future.
Key points
- Vucic will resign as president on Sunday and contest the October 25 snap parliamentary election as an ordinary candidate.
- Ana Brnabic will assume the duties of acting president after Vucic's resignation.
- A separate presidential election must be called within three months of Vucic's resignation.
