Serbian President resigns amid political crisis, clearing path for early elections

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić has resigned after more than a year of student-led protests over allegations of government corruption. According to BBC, Vučić said his administration had preserved peace and stability during his nine-year tenure as he addressed supporters outside the presidential building in Belgrade.

The protests were triggered by the 2024 collapse of the Novi Sad railway station roof, which killed 16 people and galvanised anger toward a government demonstrators accused of corner-cutting. Vučić, who cannot seek a third presidential term, had already announced his resignation plan in June and is running for prime minister in October’s snap parliamentary election.

Under Serbia’s constitution, a presidential election must follow within three months, meaning Serbians vote twice before year-end. Parliamentary Speaker Ana Brnabić will serve as interim president. Vučić also pardoned 49 people, including students and party loyalists, over what he called “terrible events we have gone through over the past year and a half.”