Vucic resigns as Serbian President after months of anti-government protests

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has resigned from office, bringing his presidency to an early end as the country prepares for snap parliamentary elections amid nearly two years of student-led protests and political tension.

Vucic submitted his resignation on Sunday, September 27, and said he intended to participate in the forthcoming parliamentary election as an ordinary citizen. His resignation was confirmed by Serbia’s public broadcaster, RTS.

His second presidential term was due to end in May 2027, but Serbia’s constitutional limits prevented him from seeking a third term. His departure now opens the way for a presidential election, which must be held within three months of the vacancy. Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic is to perform the duties of president in the interim.

Vucic’s resignation follows months of demonstrations that began after the collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station on November 1, 2024, killing 16 people. The disaster became a focal point for protests over alleged corruption, accountability and government oversight.

The protests, initially led by students, grew into a wider anti-government movement, with large demonstrations reported in Belgrade and other Serbian cities.

Vucic has rejected accusations of government corruption and negligence. He has also accused external actors, including Brussels, of seeking to exploit the unrest to pressure Serbia over its foreign policy.

Hours before his resignation, Vucic announced that he had pardoned or granted amnesty to 49 people, including 23 individuals linked to the protests and related events. He said the decision concerned what he described as the difficult events Serbia had experienced over the previous year and a half.

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The resignation was not entirely unexpected. Vucic had announced earlier in September that he would step down on September 27 and subsequently campaign ahead of the parliamentary election.

The upcoming parliamentary poll is expected to feature Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and opposition groups, including a student-backed list whose candidates include academics and professionals.

The student movement has called for greater transparency, investigations into alleged corruption and stronger safeguards against political interference in public institutions.

Vucic, who has been a dominant figure in Serbian politics since becoming prime minister in 2014 and president in 2017, said before resigning that he would accept the outcome of the parliamentary election and congratulate opponents if they won.

Under Serbian law, Parliament Speaker Brnabic will serve as acting president for up to three months while preparations are made for a presidential election. RTS reported that the presidential vote must take place no later than December 27.

Vucic’s resignation therefore marks a major change in Serbia’s political leadership, while leaving him positioned to seek another senior political role through the forthcoming parliamentary contest.