Aleksandar Vucic Resigns as Serbian President Ahead of Early Elections
Vucic Announces Resignation
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has resigned from office, bringing his second presidential term to an early end and setting the stage for an early presidential election.
Vucic announced his resignation on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in Belgrade. He said he would hand over presidential duties to National Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabic.
The resignation comes less than a year before his current term was due to expire. Vucic has said he wants to participate in Serbia’s upcoming parliamentary elections as a candidate for prime minister.
The Serbian government confirmed that Brnabic will become acting president following Vucic’s departure.
Early Parliamentary Election Set for October
Vucic’s resignation comes as Serbia prepares for a snap parliamentary election scheduled for October 25.
The election follows months of political tension and student-led protests that have called for greater government accountability and early elections.
The protests intensified after the November 2024 collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad killed 16 people.
The disaster triggered widespread demonstrations, with protesters linking the tragedy to alleged corruption and problems surrounding the station’s renovation.
The government has rejected accusations of wrongdoing.
Vucic Seeks New Political Role
Although Vucic has left the presidency, he remains a major figure in Serbian politics.
He is leading the electoral list of his Serbian Progressive Party and is seeking to become prime minister if his party and its allies form the next government.
Vucic said his resignation would allow him to campaign for parliament as an ordinary citizen rather than remain president while participating in the parliamentary contest.
His decision also means Serbia will hold a presidential election before the end of the year.
Ana Brnabic Becomes Acting President
National Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabic is set to take over as acting president.
Under Serbia’s constitutional arrangements, the parliamentary speaker assumes the presidential duties when the office becomes vacant.
A presidential election must then be completed within 90 days.
Vucic said the first round of the presidential election should take place by the end of December.
The timing means Serbian voters are expected to participate in both parliamentary and presidential elections within a relatively short period.
Protests Shaped Political Crisis
The political crisis has been closely linked to the student-led demonstrations that began after the Novi Sad railway station tragedy.
The protests eventually expanded beyond students, attracting teachers, workers, farmers and other groups.
Demonstrators have called for accountability over the station disaster and have demanded an early parliamentary election.
The Serbian government proposed dissolving parliament and holding early elections earlier in September, saying new elections could help reduce political tensions.
Vucic Pardons 49 People
Before announcing his resignation, Vucic used his constitutional powers to pardon 49 people.
He said 23 of those pardoned were students connected to what he described as the difficult events Serbia had experienced during the previous year and a half.
The pardons came amid the continuing political dispute surrounding the protests and arrests connected to demonstrations.
The move was announced shortly before Vucic formally left the presidency.
Serbia Faces Two Elections
Vucic’s resignation has created a new electoral timetable for Serbia.
The parliamentary election will take place on October 25, while the presidential election must be completed within 90 days of his resignation.
The parliamentary contest is expected to include Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party and its allies, a student-led movement known as Students Win, and the European Serbia opposition alliance.
Several groups have yet to select their presidential candidates.
Serbia now enters a period of political transition, with the October parliamentary election and subsequent presidential vote set to determine the country’s next political leadership.
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