Image Credentials: Image Title: Serbia’s President Vučić announces resignation and calls for early elections. Source: (chatgpt.com) Date: June 2026. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (chatgpt.com) by Open Chronicle and does not depict a real-world scene.
By Open Chronicle News Desk with Agencies
BELGRADE — Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced on Saturday that he intends to resign within the next few weeks and called for early presidential and parliamentary elections, bringing forward a major political shift after months of mounting domestic pressure.
Addressing thousands of supporters at a pro-government rally in Belgrade, Vučić declared that his time as president was nearing an end despite his second and final presidential mandate being scheduled to run until mid 2027.
“I will be president for only a few weeks, and then I will resign,” Vučić told the crowd.
The announcement follows growing speculation that the longtime Serbian leader could seek a return to the post of prime minister, a position he previously held between 2014 and 2017 before becoming president.
Political pressure intensifies
Vučić’s decision comes after more than eighteen months of nationwide anti-corruption protests led largely by students and civil society groups.
The demonstrations were sparked by the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad, a tragedy that claimed 16 lives and ignited widespread public anger over allegations of corruption, negligence, and weak institutional oversight.
Since then, protesters have repeatedly demanded early elections and greater government accountability.
Early elections expected
During his speech, Vučić confirmed that he would actively support his Serbian Progressive Party in the upcoming electoral campaign, including the expected snap parliamentary elections, which had originally been scheduled for next year.
However, he did not provide an exact date for either his resignation or the dissolution of parliament, a constitutional step required before early legislative elections can be held.
The announcement is expected to trigger an intense political campaign as Serbia prepares for a period of uncertainty over its future leadership.
Uncertain political future
Although Vučić did not reveal his next political move, analysts have long speculated that he may attempt to remain a dominant figure in Serbian politics through another senior government position.
His resignation would end nearly a decade as Serbia’s head of state, during which he consolidated political power while balancing the country’s aspirations for European Union membership with close relations with Russia and China.
The coming weeks are expected to determine the timetable for the elections and shape the next phase of Serbia’s political landscape.