Serbia will hold early parliamentary election in October, testing Vucic’s hold on power

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced that early parliamentary elections will be held in the country on October 25. This move comes after a series of street protests that have challenged his rule for nearly two years. Vucic, who is barred from running for a third presidential term, intends to seek re-election as prime minister instead.

He has decreed the dissolution of the 250-member Parliament, setting the stage for the vote. Vucic stated that the elections are needed due to ongoing tensions and divisions within the Balkan nation. He asserted that the election results should clearly reflect the will of the people and guide Serbia's future direction. The election will take place amid heightened political tensions, with ruling populists aiming to retain power despite significant public discontent.

The protests began following a tragic train station collapse on November 1, 2024, which resulted in 16 deaths in the city of Novi Sad. Protesters demanded accountability for the disaster and an end to corruption that they blame for poor renovation work. The demonstrations, which often involved hundreds of thousands of people, have been unprecedented since Vucic took office in 2012.

The ruling Serbian Progressive Party has been criticized for allegedly restricting democratic freedoms and for alleged ties to organized crime, claims Vucic has denied. Serbia's EU accession process has been stalled under Vucic's leadership, as he has maintained close relationships with both Russia and China. Recently, Serbia has faced additional pressure from the EU following the public tribute paid to war criminal Ratko Mladic, a former Bosnian Serb army commander who was buried as a hero in Serbia despite being convicted of genocide by a U.N. court.