Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said on Sunday he was stepping down from office, opening the way for a presidential election while he prepares to support the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in a snap parliamentary vote.
“The hour of decision has come,” Vučić said in announcing his resignation, thanking voters who had elected him president twice.
Vučić, who is serving his second presidential term, is constitutionally barred from seeking a third. Under Serbian law, a presidential election must be held within three months of his resignation.
He said the immediate focus should be on the parliamentary election, scheduled for Oct. 25, which he described as crucial for determining Serbia’s future direction.
“The parliamentary elections will determine the path of Serbia,” Vučić said in remarks to public broadcaster RTS.
During his address, Vučić defended his record in office, pointing to a decline in public debt and unemployment since he first came to power. He said public debt had fallen from 79% of gross domestic product when he became prime minister to about 43% today.
Looking ahead, he said Serbia’s next leadership would need to preserve peace and stability while continuing economic development and investing in technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics.
The parliamentary election is also being contested by a student movement running under the so-called “Student List”, which has emerged as a significant challenger to the SNS.
The presidential race remains open, with candidates yet to be formally announced.
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