Serbia President Vučić Resigns

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić announced his resignation on September 27, 2026, in a televised address. The decision came ahead of snap parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for October 25 of the same year. Vučić, who is running for the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), is barred from seeking a third term due to his second and final presidential term ending.

The resignation is a response to student-led protests and widespread public discontent over allegations of government corruption. A key trigger was the collapse of the Novi Sad railway station's roof on November 1, 2024, which resulted in 16 deaths. The reconstruction of the railway station was part of a capital project backed by a bilateral agreement with China, exempt from the Law on Public Procurement.

Public outrage over this incident, along with corruption allegations, led to the resignation of Construction Minister Goran Vesic. Protests began on November 22, 2024, with students blocking educational institutions and holding a 16-minute vigil for the 16 victims of the railway disaster each day at 11:52 am. These demonstrations eventually led to the resignations of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and Novi Sad's mayor in January 2025.

The protests, which spread to over 400 towns and cities, marked the largest grassroots uprising in decades. Following his resignation, acting Speaker of the National Assembly Ana Brnabić temporarily became the president until a new head of state is elected. Vučić also pardoned 49 individuals, including 23 students and party loyalists linked to the protests, as his final act as president.