President Aleksandar Vučić of Serbia announced Saturday that he will resign from office within a few weeks [1].
The move triggers early presidential and parliamentary elections in a country currently gripped by heightened political tensions and student-led protests [2].
Vučić made the announcement during a pro-government rally in Belgrade [3]. He said the decision is intended to address the demands of protesters who have been calling for significant political change [2].
"I will be president for only a couple of weeks, and then I will resign," Vučić said [4].
This resignation comes well before the end of his current term. His second and last mandate was scheduled to expire in mid-2027 [5]. By stepping down now, Vučić effectively resets the electoral timeline for both the presidency and the parliament.
Student-led demonstrations have intensified in recent months, creating a volatile atmosphere in the capital [2]. The government has faced increasing pressure to implement reforms, and address grievances regarding the current political administration [2].
While the president has called for early elections, the specific dates for the vote have not yet been finalized. The transition period will last only a few weeks before the official resignation takes effect [4].
“"I will be president for only a couple of weeks, and then I will resign."”
Vučić's decision to resign early is a strategic attempt to neutralize escalating civil unrest and regain a democratic mandate. By triggering early elections, the administration seeks to move the conflict from the streets of Belgrade into the ballot box, potentially stabilizing the government before the original 2027 expiration of his term.
