Serbias President Aleksandar Vucic to step down within weeks

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic Announces Resignation Plan

Belgrade, Serbia - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced that he will step down as president within “weeks”, paving the way for early presidential and parliamentary elections. This follows months of youth-led protests in the country.

At a pro-government rally in Belgrade on Saturday, Vucic stated his intention to resign, saying he would serve as president for only a couple of weeks before stepping down. He also expressed confidence that his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party will win more convincingly than ever before at the upcoming elections.

Vucic did not specify exactly when he would resign or when an election would be held. His second and last mandate was set to expire in mid-2027. The president has gradually increased his control over power since his party took office 14 years ago.

The announcement comes amid ongoing student-led mass protests that have been taking place across Serbia since November 2024, following a rail station disaster that killed 16 people. Hundreds of protesters were detained, and the European Union accused Serbia’s police of excessive force and arbitrary arrests.

Vucic has previously referred to protesters as “foreign agents” who are fueling divisions and seeking to overthrow the government. In response to his announcement, students plan to hold a gathering in Kraljevo on Sunday, promoting national unity while calling for early elections.

Source: Al Jazeera