Serbia’s President Steps Down After Year of Protests, Early Elections Loom

Sun Sep 27 2026 22:17:23 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Aleksandar Vučić resigns amid student protests, triggering snap parliamentary election and a looming presidential vote.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has resigned after a year of student-led protests and mounting corruption allegations. The 49-year-old, who has been in power for over a decade, used his last days to schedule a snap parliamentary election, which will be followed by a presidential contest within months. The unrest began after the 2024 Novi Sad rail‑station collapse, a disaster blamed on government shortcuts, and intensifying demands for a clear democratic transition. Vučić left office with a brief speech affirming stability, while parliamentary speaker Ana Brnabić will serve as interim president until a new leader is elected.

Snapped Serbia’s Future

President Aleksandar Vučić has handed in his resignation after a year‑long wave of student protests and growing anger over alleged government misconduct.

The nine‑year‑old leader highlighted that his administration kept the country stable and announced he will not seek a third presidential term under the constitution.

The government’s reputation suffered a blow when the roof of the Novi Sad railway station collapsed, killing 16 people – a disaster many blamed on rushed, cost‑cutting renovations championed by Vučić’s Progressive Party.

Polls against the ruling party now feature a student‑led anti‑corruption movement named Students Win and a pro‑Western coalition called European Serbia.

Senator Ana Brnabić will serve as interim president while a new election is scheduled for the end of October, followed by a presidential vote within a month.

Vučić also granted 49 amnesties, including 23 students, citing the “terrible events” over the past year and a half.