BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — The Serbian populist President Aleksandar Vucic resigned on Sunday to try to become prime minister in upcoming snap parliamentary elections that will test his firm rule in the Balkan country, shaken by nearly two years of protests.
Otherwise, Vucic’s second presidential term would end in May next year. Serbia’s Constitution bars him from running for a third term and said he was resigning to lead his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party to the polls. Vote of October 25.
The ruling populists face a major challenge at the polls. movement supported by youth who led the protests triggered by the station on November 1, 2024 Canopy collapse that killed 16 people in the city of Novi Sad, in the north of the country.
University students demanded accountability for this tragedy. Their fight for justice and against corruption has transformed into a strong movement that will try to overthrow Vucic’s government after 14 years in power. Vucic himself has been prime minister or president for the past 12 years.
“I resign from my functions as President of the Republic,” Vucic declared while reading the text of his resignation.
Tensions rise as high-stakes October vote approaches
The October vote will take place against a backdrop of high political tensions as Vucic’s populists seek to stay in power despite widespread popular discontent. His decision to run for prime minister is seen as a carefully planned maneuver to maintain a prominent position and to increase his party’s chances against the student movement.
Before signing his resignation, Vucic briefly addressed his supporters in front of the presidency building in Belgrade. He said: “Tonight is a very special occasion for me, my last evening in this magnificent building.”
“But I look to the future with joy, new victories await us,” he told the crowd, chanting his name. “Let’s beat them (the opponents) more convincingly than ever.”
In recent weeks, Vucic has traveled the country tirelessly and provided live coverage to pro-government media. He opened new roads, offered financial aid and cheaper medicine, and visited voters in their homes. Most recently, Vucic was filmed driving his brother’s car at some events.
The Serbian prime minister is formally more powerful than the president. But Vucic continued to play a dominant role during his two five-year terms, sometimes presiding over government sessions and regularly announcing all important decisions and plans.
The Independent Office of Social Research, or BIRODI, filed a complaint alleging that Vucic abused a public institution as president to promote his party, which he removed from office. There has been no response from government-controlled anti-corruption authorities.
The presidential vote will take place later
After Vucic’s resignation, the interim president will be close ally and former prime minister Ana Brnabic, the outgoing speaker of Serbia’s 250-member parliament.
Vucic said the first round of the early presidential election had to take place by the end of this year due to a 90-day deadline.
Vucic and his party have been accused of widespread corruption, links to organized crime and a crackdown on democratic freedoms, including critical media. The SNS party has gradually taken control of all state institutions since coming to power in 2012, while denying abuses of power and repeatedly pledging to fight corruption.
The student-backed voter list includes little-known experts, professors, teachers, athletes and others from all walks of life. Groups of students were travel the country by bike as part of their campaign calling for the rule of law and an end to corruption.
Analysts say the student group and Vucic are close, forecasting a close race and a referendum-like atmosphere. Also in the running are Vucic’s allies the Socialist Party, a pro-EU opposition alliance and several smaller groups.
Vucic said that starting Monday he would be “all over Serbia listening to the people.” While praising his government’s achievements, Vucic asserted that “I made mistakes but I worked diligently like almost anyone in this position.”
Vucic also said he had pardoned 49 people before leaving office, including 23 who were prosecuted for alleged offenses during the protests. Among them is a group of anti-government activists who fled Serbia after being accused of anti-state activities.
The authorities exerted strong pressure against the demonstrators by using police violence and making arrests. Vucic, without providing evidence, accused his opponents and critical media of intending to “destroy the state” under unspecified foreign influence.
He told Serbian state television RTS on Sunday that foreign powers and unidentified people in the country were planning to cause unrest on election night.
Serbia’s efforts to join the European Union are at a standstill under Vucic due to democratic backsliding and a refusal to join sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine.
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