Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic has announced he will resign, as he faces months of mass anti-government protests led by student groups accusing his administration of corruption.
Speaking at a rally of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in Belgrade on Saturday night, Vucic told thousands of supporters that he has only “a few weeks” left in office, though he did not specify when he would formally step down.
“These are my final days and weeks as president of the Republic. Then I will resign,” he said.
Vucic added that he plans to lead a coalition in the next parliamentary elections under the name “United Serbia”. He said the alliance would bring together patriotic political and social forces regardless of ideology and would aim to represent national unity.
He did not announce a date for the elections, but they are widely expected to be held in the autumn.
Vucic has been under pressure from sustained anti-government protests since November 2024, with the student movement at the forefront. Demonstrators accuse the government of corruption and are demanding early elections.
In his speech, the Serbian president pointed to his administration’s economic achievements, arguing that “in 2012 he took over a country in economic collapse and led it towards growth and prosperity”.
He also placed emphasis on defending national interests and maintaining independence in foreign policy decision-making.
“I have served my homeland faithfully for fourteen years. I fought only for Serbia. I never wanted to serve anyone else except you, the citizens of Serbia,” Vucic said.
Although he called for dialogue with political opponents, he soon afterwards criticised protesting students and other demonstrators, claiming they “seek harm to the country and are driven by centres of power abroad”.
The SNS rally began with the national anthem and featured a choreographed display with humanoid robots dressed in traditional costumes performing a Serbian folk dance.
At the same time, supporters of Vucic unfurled a giant Serbian flag, about 500 metres long, along a central avenue in Belgrade.
Source: CNA-AMNA
