Serbia's President Vucic resigns to run for prime minister

Serbia's President, Aleksandar Vucic, has resigned, seven months before the end of his term, in order to run for prime minister in a snap parliamentary election next month.

Vucic signed his resignation on Sunday 27 September. He is barred by the Serbian constitution from seeking a third term as president, and said he was stepping down to lead his party, the right-wing Serbian Progressive Party, known as the SNS, into the election on 25 October.

A new route to power

If the SNS forms the next government, Vucic could be appointed prime minister. His decision is widely seen both as a way to keep a top position and as an attempt to boost his party's chances in a closely watched vote.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ana Brnabic, a close ally who has previously served as prime minister, has become acting president until a presidential election is held.

A challenge from the streets

The governing populists face their strongest challenge in years from a movement led by students and young people. It grew out of protests that followed the collapse of a concrete canopy at the railway station in the northern city of Novi Sad on 1 November 2024, which killed 16 people.

The disaster became a symbol for critics who accuse the authorities of corruption and poor oversight of public building projects. Months of demonstrations, some among the largest in Serbia's recent history, followed.

Who is Vucic?

Vucic has dominated Serbian politics for more than a decade. He served as prime minister from 2014 until he was elected president in 2017, and was re-elected in 2022. Serbia is a candidate to join the European Union, but his government has also kept close ties with Russia and China.

What happens next

The 25 October election will be a major test of whether the protest movement can turn street support into votes, and of whether Vucic can extend his hold on power in a new role. International observers are expected to watch the campaign closely.