Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic announces upcoming resignation

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced his intention to resign from office within the coming weeks during a ruling party rally in Belgrade on June 27. Vucic stated he would lead a new political coalition called 'United Serbia' in the upcoming parliamentary elections, which are expected to be held this autumn, though no official date has been confirmed. His second term was originally scheduled to end in mid-2027. The announcement follows a long period of anti-government protests that intensified after a deadly accident at a railway station in Novi Sad, where 16 people died when a canopy collapsed. Protesters and opposition groups have attributed the tragedy to government corruption and project mismanagement, demands that have been championed by student movements since November 2024. During his address, Vucic defended his economic record since 2012 and emphasized his focus on national interests and foreign policy independence. While Vucic framed his move as a step toward national unity, critics have characterized the political climate as a response to sustained civil pressure.