Serbia Moves Toward Snap Polls as Vucic Weighs PM Role Amid Protests
Serbia's government has proposed dissolving parliament, paving the way for early elections as President Vucic faces sustained protests.
The Serbian government has formally proposed dissolving the national parliament, initiating the process for an early parliamentary election. The move comes as President Aleksandar Vucic signals he may step down from his current office to lead his party's campaign, potentially transitioning to the role of prime minister.
Vucic is expected to confirm the election date later this week, with reports suggesting the vote could take place on October 25. The ballot is widely viewed as a critical test of his administration's resilience following more than a year of sustained public demonstrations.
The protests trace their origins to a train station canopy collapse in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, which killed 16 people. Demonstrators have since demanded accountability for the incident and broader action against corruption, which they argue contributed to substandard renovation work.
Over the past year, protests have occasionally drawn hundreds of thousands of participants, representing one of the most significant challenges to Vucic's 14-year rule. His Serbian Progressive Party has faced accusations of curbing democratic freedoms and having links to organized crime, allegations the president denies. Serbia's European Union accession talks have stalled under his leadership, while he has maintained close ties with both Russia and China.
The political climate has been further strained by recent EU criticism over public displays honoring Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb commander convicted by a UN court for war crimes, who was buried in Serbia on Monday.
Vucic cannot seek another presidential term after serving two full mandates, and a separate early presidential election is planned. The government has taken a hard line against protesters, drawing international concern over police conduct and detentions. Vucic has accused student and faculty leaders of seeking to destabilize the state. A student-backed electoral list is expected to feature university professors and experts, challenging the populists who have consolidated control over institutions and media since 2012.