Serbian President resigns amid months of protests, paving way for snap elections

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Serbian President resigns amid months of protests, paving way for snap elections
revised 2×Serbian President resigns amid months of protests, paving way for snap elections
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Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced on Sunday that he will resign within weeks, bowing to 18 months of sustained anti-government protests led by students and opposition groups. The move clears the way for snap presidential and parliamentary elections, a concession that ends a prolonged political crisis but leaves Vučić’s future role uncertain.
Vučić, who has dominated Serbian politics for 13 years as prime minister and president, told supporters in Belgrade on Saturday that he would step down “in the coming weeks,” triggering early elections that could see him return as prime minister at the head of a new party list, *Serbia United* . The announcement follows months of mass demonstrations over corruption, economic stagnation, and authoritarian governance, which intensified after student-led protests turned violent in multiple cities.
International observers and domestic critics have long accused Vučić of eroding democratic institutions, a charge he has consistently denied. His resignation marks the first time he has yielded to public pressure since protests began in November 2024 [2024-11]. Analysts suggest the move may be tactical, allowing him to sidestep further erosion of his authority while positioning himself to regain power through elections. “This is not a retreat, but a strategic repositioning,” political commentator Srdjan Cvijić told *DW* .
The protests, which have drawn hundreds of thousands into the streets, gained momentum after Vučić’s government was accused of suppressing media freedom and manipulating electoral processes. Opposition leader Savo Manojlović welcomed the announcement as a “victory for democracy,” but cautioned that Vučić’s continued influence could undermine genuine reform .
Vučić’s decision comes as Serbia faces mounting pressure from the European Union to address rule-of-law concerns. EU officials have repeatedly linked progress in accession talks to democratic reforms, a linkage Vučić has resisted. His resignation may ease tensions, but the elections—expected within months—will test whether Serbia’s political landscape can truly shift toward pluralism.
In a related development, Argentina’s embattled chief of cabinet, Manuel Adorni, resigned on Saturday after a corruption scandal exposed undeclared assets worth $500,000. Adorni, a key ally of President Javier Milei, admitted to concealing wealth and faced calls for his removal amid legislative investigations. His departure underscores the broader regional challenge of governance amid allegations of financial misconduct .
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