Serbia’s president calls snap parliamentary elections for October 25

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic officially dissolved parliament on Wednesday and scheduled snap parliamentary elections for October 25, 2026. The move follows a formal request from the government to seek a new public mandate amid nearly two years of widespread anti-corruption protests. Although the next regular elections were not required until December 2027, the administration stated that the early vote is necessary to mitigate societal tensions and preserve democratic stability.

Vucic, who has held power as either prime minister or president for the past 12 years, was nominated by the Serbian Progressive Party to run for the position of prime minister in the upcoming ballot. The political unrest, which poses the most significant challenge to his leadership, was ignited by a tragic railway station canopy collapse in the city of Novi Sad in November 2024, an incident that claimed the lives of 16 people.

While Vucic has overseen a period of economic development, his tenure has been increasingly marked by accusations of authoritarianism and systemic corruption. The snap election is intended to solidify his authority and navigate the current political crisis, though the opposition remains critical of his consolidation of power.