Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic resigned on Sunday to run for prime minister in an early parliamentary election set for October 25. This move comes after nearly two years of protests triggered by the collapse of a train station canopy that killed 16 people, leading to a youth-backed movement challenging his government's rule. Vucic’s resignation is seen as both an attempt to retain power and bolster his party’s chances in the election against growing opposition from university students demanding accountability for corruption and misuse of public funds.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-28,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
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Story summary
On September 27, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic announced his resignation seven months early ahead of the October 25 parliamentary elections. His move allows him to run for prime minister if his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) wins the election. Under Serbia’s constitution, Parliamentary Speaker Ana Brnabic, an ally of Vucic, will serve as interim president until a new one is elected by December 2024. The resignation comes amid nearly two years of protests triggered by the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad that killed 16 people in November 2024, which has strengthened a youth-led opposition movement aiming to oust Vucic’s government after 14 years in power.
Written for “Serbian President Resigns For Early E…” on 2026-10-05,
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Vucic resigns as Serbia president, setting up election that could see him become PM
Populist president's past two years in power mired by protests
Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic resigned on Sunday to pursue a bid to become the prime minister in an upcoming early parliamentary election that will test his firm rule in the Balkan country after nearly two years of protests.
Vucic's second presidential term would otherwise end in May next year.
uncertain
term → resign → May
He is banned by the Serbian Constitution from seeking a third term and said he was resigning to lead his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party in the Oct. 25 ballot.
asserted
he → ban → ballot
The governing populist faces a major challenge at the ballot from a youth-backed movement that led the protests triggered by the Nov. 1, 2024, train station canopy collapse that killed 16 people in the northern city of Novi Sad.
asserted
that → govern → Sad
University students demanded accountability for the tragedy.
asserted
students → demand → tragedy
Their struggle for justice and against corruption has grown into a strong movement that will attempt to oust Vucic's government after 14 years in power.
asserted
that → grow → power
"I am resigning the duty of the President of the Republic," Vucic said, reading the text of his resignation.
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Vucic → resign → resignation
Tensions are rising ahead of high-stakes ballot
The ballot in October will be held against a backdrop of high political tensions as Vucic's populists seek to remain in office despite widespread popular discontent.
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populists → rise → discontent
His decision to run for prime minister is seen both as an attempt to retain a top position, and to boost his party's chances against the student movement.
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decision → run → movement
Vucic in recent weeks has toured the country tirelessly with live coverage on pro-government media.
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Vucic → tour → media
He has opened new roads, offered assistance money and cheaper medicines, and visited voters in their homes.
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He → open → homes
More recently, Vucic was filmed driving in his brother's car to some of the events.
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Vucic → film → events
But Vucic still took a dominant role during his two five-year terms, sometimes presiding over government sessions and routinely announcing all important decisions and plans.
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Vucic → take → decisions
Independent Bureau for Social Research, or BIRODI, has filed a complaint alleging that Vucic has abused a public institution as president to promote his party, which he has dismissed.
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he → file → which
Presidential vote to be held later
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vote → hold → ?
After Vucic's resignation, the acting president will be a close ally and former prime minister, Ana Brnabic, who is the outgoing speaker of Serbia's 250-member Parliament.
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who → act → Parliament
After a new Parliament is elected in the Oct. 25 ballot, the new speaker will take over from Brnabic, appoint the prime minister and schedule a presidential vote.
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speaker → elect → vote
Vucic and his party have been accused of rampant corruption, organized crime links and a clampdown on democratic freedoms, including the critical media.
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Vucic → accuse → media
The Serbian Progressive Party has gradually taken control over all state institutions since coming to power in 2012, while denying abuse of office and repeatedly pledging to fight graft.
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Party → take → graft
The student-backed election list includes little-known experts, professors, teachers, athletes and other individuals from all walks of life.
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list → back → life
Groups of students have been touring the country on bicycles as part of their campaign urging the rule of law and an end to corruption.
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Groups → tour → corruption
Analysts say that the student group and Vucic are polling close, heralding a tight race and a referendum-like atmosphere.
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group → say → race
Also running are Vucic's allies, the Socialist Party, a pro-EU opposition alliance and several smaller groups.
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allies → run → ?
Authorities have pushed hard against protesters with police violence and detentions as Vucic accused without offering evidence his opponents and critical media of an intention to "destroy the state" under unspecified foreign influence.
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Vucic → push → influence
He told Serbia's state RTS Television earlier on Sunday that foreign powers and unidentified people in the country plan to stir unrest in the election night.
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powers → tell → night
Serbia's efforts to join the European Union have stalled under Vucic because of democratic backsliding and a refusal to join sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine.
asserted
efforts → join → Ukraine
The Aporia
