Aleksandar Vučić resigned as president of Serbia on Sunday evening, 27 September, opening a formal transition at the head of state while preparing to contest the country’s early parliamentary election as a candidate for prime minister.

Vučić signed his resignation after addressing the public at the presidential offices in Belgrade. He said he would transfer his duties on Monday morning to National Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabić, a close political ally and former prime minister. Serbia’s government confirmed the resignation and the planned handover. srbija.gov.rs

Brnabić will exercise presidential powers on an interim basis. Under the rules described by Serbian public broadcaster RTS and state news agency Tanjug, an acting president can serve for no longer than 90 days following an early termination of the mandate. A presidential election is consequently expected by the end of December. Vučić’s mandate formally ends when the resignation reaches the National Assembly. RTS

The change does not represent Vučić’s departure from Serbian politics. He resigned specifically to participate in the campaign for the snap parliamentary election scheduled for 25 October. His Serbian Progressive Party has nominated him for prime minister, creating the possibility that he could return to executive office weeks after leaving the presidency.

Vučić has dominated Serbian politics since 2012, serving first as deputy prime minister, then as prime minister and, from 2017, as president. His supporters credit successive governments with attracting investment, reducing unemployment and modernising infrastructure. Opponents accuse his administration of weakening independent institutions, concentrating control over the media and failing to address corruption.

The election follows almost two years of demonstrations triggered by the November 2024 collapse of a concrete canopy at Novi Sad railway station, which killed 16 people. The disaster became a symbol for protesters alleging poor oversight and corruption in public construction. Vučić and the government have rejected claims that they obstructed accountability.

The resignation changes Vučić’s constitutional position but does not settle the political contest. He will campaign as the leading figure of the governing bloc, while Brnabić temporarily holds the presidency and Serbia prepares for a separate presidential ballot.

The principal test will come on 25 October: whether Vučić can translate the institutional and organisational strength accumulated during his presidency into a parliamentary mandate for his proposed return as prime minister.