Serbia moves to dissolve parliament for snap election

Belgrade, Serbia saw riot police deployed after a mass student-led anti-government rally on Monday. Prime Minister Djuro Macut proposed dissolving parliament, setting the stage for a snap election in late October. This move came nearly two years after protests erupted following the collapse of a canopy at Novi Sad railway station on November 1, 2024, which killed 16 people, fueling demands for transparency and an early vote.

Initially focused on corruption, the student-led movement has since broadened its agenda. Macut, during an extraordinary government session, stated that the government would ask the president to dissolve the National Assembly and call parliamentary elections. The proposal gives President Aleksandar Vucic 72 hours to accept and dissolve parliament.

Vucic, who has been in power since 2012, previously indicated his willingness to call elections as early as September 9 or 10. Students have been staging blockades since May 2025, demanding early elections. Government officials had repeatedly pledged to hold elections, but no date was set. In a recent development, Vucic announced his intention to step down as president before his term ends in April 2027, enabling him to campaign for the prime ministerial position. His right-wing populist Serbian Progressive Party has chosen him as their candidate.