Aleksandar Vucic: Serbiens Präsident tritt zurück – Weg frei für Wechsel an Regierungsspitze

Belgrade - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stepped down from his position on Sunday, paving the way for early presidential elections. The move, seven months before the regular end of his second and final term, enables the 56-year-old to assume the role of Prime Minister, provided his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) forms the new government.

"This is my last evening in this building," Vucic told jubilant supporters outside the official residence in Belgrade, vowing his country's loyalty and pride in the achievements made together. Until a new head of state is elected, with the first round set for December 31, outgoing parliamentary speaker Ana Brnabic serves as interim president.

Vucic has dominated Serbian politics for over a decade, with human rights groups accusing him and his allies of an increasingly authoritarian government style, which the government denies. Recently under pressure, Vucic faced nationwide protests following the collapse of a balcony at a train station in Novi Sad in November 2024, resulting in 16 deaths.

The opposition subsequently called for an end to corruption and early elections. In his resignation, Vucic announced he had granted pardons to 49 individuals arrested or charged in the context of the demonstrations. During the upcoming parliamentary election next month, his party SNS will compete among others against a student anti-corruption movement and a pro-West opposition alliance.

Should the SNS win, Vucic promised an end to corruption, higher pensions, and improvements in the state healthcare system. The opposition, however, accuses Vucic and his allies of violence against political opponents, rampant bribery, connections to organized crime, and suppression of media freedom. Domestic tensions coincide with Serbia's delicate foreign policy balancing act, as it is an EU candidate but maintains close ties with Russia and China.

Prior to EU accession, Serbia must improve the rule of law, including conditions for free and fair elections, combating corruption, and organized crime. Brussels also demands that Belgrade's foreign policy align with that of the community.