BRUSSELS — Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced his resignation on 27 September 2026, ending a two‑year wave of anti‑corruption protests and setting a timetable for early parliamentary elections, officials said.
Resignation and Immediate Aftermath
Vučić submitted a written resignation to the National Assembly late on 27 September, citing personal reasons and a desire to restore political stability. The move automatically triggers a constitutional requirement for the president to call a snap election within 90 days. The Assembly is expected to schedule the vote for early December, according to the country’s electoral law.
Pardons Issued Hours Before Exit
State records show that, 49 hours before his resignation, Vučić granted pardons to 49 individuals convicted of corruption‑related offences. The pardons were announced in a brief presidential decree released on the official website of the President of the Republic of Serbia. Critics argue the timing was intended to shield allies from prosecution, a claim the president’s office has not addressed publicly.
Protests that Shaped the Decision
Mass demonstrations began in late 2024 after a series of high‑profile graft scandals implicated senior officials in the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). Protesters demanded greater transparency, judicial independence and the resignation of officials they said had abused power. Over the next two years, weekly rallies in Belgrade and other cities drew tens of thousands, with civil‑society groups such as the Centre for Anti‑Corruption Research (CICR) documenting alleged misuse of public funds.
Political Landscape and Election Outlook
The resignation creates a power vacuum within the SNS, which has dominated Serbian politics since 2012. Party leader and former prime minister Ivica Dačić is expected to assume interim leadership of the party and may run for the presidency in the upcoming election. Opposition parties, including the Democratic Party (DS) and the Serbian Progressive Alliance (SPA), have called for a united front to challenge the SNS’s grip on power.
International Reaction
European Union officials welcomed the development, noting that a transparent electoral process could improve Serbia’s prospects for EU accession talks, which have stalled since 2023 over rule‑of‑law concerns. A spokesperson for the EU’s Delegation in Belgrade said the resignation “offers an opportunity for Serbia to demonstrate its commitment to democratic renewal.” The United States Department of State issued a brief statement urging all parties to respect the constitutional timetable and ensure a free and fair vote.
Next Steps
The National Assembly will convene within the next 48 hours to accept the resignation and set the election date. The Constitutional Court is expected to review any challenges to the pardon decree, though no formal complaints have been filed as of 28 September. Election authorities have begun preparations for voter registration updates and the printing of new ballot papers.
