Serbian President Vucic Resigns, Eyes Return as PM

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced on June 27 that he will resign “within a few weeks,” ending his presidency after nearly a decade in office — but with a clear plan to return as prime minister, a position that holds greater executive power. The announcement, made at a mass rally of supporters in Belgrade, comes after 18 months of the largest anti-government protests in Serbia since the overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic in 2000.

A Strategic Political Maneuver

Speaking at the “Serbia One Family” rally on the platform in front of the National Assembly building, Vucic told thousands of supporters that his resignation would pave the way for early presidential and parliamentary elections. “I will be president for only a few more weeks, then I submit my resignation. Nothing is lifelong, and thank God it isn’t,” he said, as reported by Politika.

According to VRT NWS, Vucic stated his ambition to become prime minister again, a role he previously held from 2014 to 2017. He proposed that the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) election list be named “United Serbia” (Ujedinjena Srbija). Elections are expected to be called between September and November 2026, at a time most favorable to Vucic and his party.

The Protest Movement Behind the Decision

The resignation follows 18 months of sustained anti-corruption protests, primarily led by university students, that began after the Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse on November 1, 2024, which killed 16 people. The tragedy became a symbol of what protesters describe as systemic corruption in large state infrastructure projects.

By March 2025, protests had spread to over 400 cities and towns across Serbia. Major rallies included 325,000 people in Belgrade on March 15, 2025, and 180,000 to 190,000 in Belgrade on May 23, 2026, according to Wikipedia. The movement has been notable for its student-led, non-violent character, employing methods such as traffic blockades, peace walks, and general strikes.

Skepticism from Protesters and Analysts

Despite Vucic’s announcement, there was little sense of relief among protesters. On June 28, thousands rallied in the central Serbian city of Kraljevo, expressing deep skepticism that Vucic will genuinely relinquish power. As Al Jazeera reported, under Serbian law, Vucic cannot seek another presidential term in any case, and many protesters and analysts expect him to switch to the more powerful office of prime minister and hand the presidency to a loyal ally, keeping his grip on power intact.

Marcel van der Steen, Balkan correspondent for VRT NWS, noted that this is not a genuine concession. “This is not a big surprise. The president already has a new job in sight. He wants to become Prime Minister again,” van der Steen said. “He will try to centralize power and draw it towards himself. He wants to create less space for critical voices and for the opposition.”

The Presidency vs. Premiership

Under the Serbian constitution, the presidency is largely a ceremonial role, while the prime minister holds most executive power. Vucic effectively reversed this dynamic during his presidency by appointing loyalist prime ministers who closely followed his lead. If he returns as prime minister, analysts expect him to further centralize power, potentially modeling his approach on the governance style of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

International Dimensions

Serbia, an EU candidate country, has faced criticism from Brussels over police conduct during the protests. The European Union has accused Serbian authorities of brutality and unjustified detentions during the crackdown on demonstrators. Hundreds of people have been arrested during the months of unrest.

Vucic, who has dominated Serbian politics for over a decade, has maintained a balancing act between EU integration and close ties with Russia and China. In his resignation speech, he emphasized that Serbia must preserve its military neutrality and maintain traditional friendships with both China and Russia while continuing on its European path.

What Comes Next

Early presidential and parliamentary elections are expected between September and November 2026. The protest movement, particularly students in major cities, is reportedly considering forming its own political party, which could reshape Serbia’s political landscape. However, as van der Steen noted, polling data in Serbia is unreliable, making it difficult to assess the SNS’s true level of support.

Vucic’s resignation announcement has laid bare a country deeply divided. In urban areas, where international media and higher education are more accessible, support for the protests is strong. In rural regions, where state-controlled television remains the primary news source, Vucic retains significant backing. The coming months will determine whether this political maneuver consolidates his power or marks the beginning of a genuine transition in Serbian politics.