Serbian President Vucic Announces Resignation Amid Massive Protests, Paving Way for Early Elections

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, a close ally of Israel, declared he will resign within weeks, setting the stage for early presidential and parliamentary elections. This announcement follows over a year and a half of widespread protests against his rule, marking the largest wave of demonstrations in Serbia since the fall of Slobodan Milosevic in 2000. Speaking at a large ruling party rally in Belgrade on Vidovdan, Vucic said, "I will be president only for a few more weeks and then I will resign," but did not specify exact dates for his resignation or the elections. He affirmed he would continue leading the ruling party, renamed "United Serbia," and expressed confidence in winning by an even larger margin.

The protests erupted after a concrete roof collapse at the Novi Sad train station in November 2024 killed 16 people. Students, opposition groups, and civil activists blamed corruption, negligence, and poor public project management for the tragedy. The government denied these claims, but the demonstrations quickly expanded into broad demands for early elections and regime change. Vucic accused "foreign elements" of trying to destabilize Serbia and claimed students were politically manipulated.

Following his resignation announcement, thousands protested in Kraljevo under the slogan "Students Win." While many welcomed the news, others feared it was a tactical move rather than a genuine exit from politics. Critics suspect Vucic plans to switch roles, possibly running for prime minister after the elections while installing a loyalist as president, thereby retaining control through the government and ruling party. Protester Marko Jukic told Reuters, "We want real change, not just a reshuffle."

Vucic is known for his balanced foreign policy toward Russia, China, and the EU, and is considered one of Israel's closest European allies. After the October 7 Hamas attack, he expressed support for Israel and condemned Hamas. Serbia and Israel have deepened security cooperation, including a joint drone production initiative announced in April 2025. Serbia has also purchased Israeli artillery and drones, while exporting ammunition and military equipment to Israel, making this partnership a cornerstone of bilateral relations.