Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has announced that he is prepared to call early parliamentary elections, responding to a year of persistent street protests demanding political change.
The demonstrations began following a tragedy in Novi Sad, where 16 people were killed after a structure collapsed at a railway station. The incident triggered widespread anger, which soon evolved into a broader movement accusing the government of corruption, mismanagement, and erosion of democratic norms.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Vučić confirmed that new elections would be held before the scheduled end of 2027, though he declined to specify a date. “I’m ready for elections whenever necessary,” the president said, framing the move as a step toward “stability and democratic renewal.”
Analysts see the decision as an attempt to ease growing public discontent and manage a deepening political crisis. Serbia has faced months of civil unrest, with opposition groups accusing Vučić’s administration of tightening control over the media, undermining independent institutions, and using security forces to suppress dissent.
The upcoming vote could prove pivotal for Serbia’s future direction. The country remains caught between aspirations for European Union membership and continued strategic ties with Russia, a balancing act that has drawn criticism both domestically and abroad.
While Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) still maintains a solid support base, recent polls suggest declining trust in government institutions and increasing frustration among younger voters. Political observers warn that unless the elections are perceived as free and fair, they could deepen Serbia’s divisions rather than resolve them.
