Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic has resigned to seek the prime minister position in an early parliamentary election, aiming to retain power amid rising political tensions and a challenge from a youth-led movement.
Vucic, who was re-elected in 2022, is stepping down to lead his rightwing Serbian Progressive party in the October 25 ballot, bypassing the constitutional limit on his third term. The election comes after nearly two years of protests sparked by a train station collapse that killed 16 people.
The early election tests Vucic's grip on power as his party faces a major challenge from a movement demanding accountability and an end to corruption, which has grown into a significant political force. The outcome could reshape Serbia's political landscape and impact its EU integration efforts.
Vucic's decision to run for prime minister is seen as a strategic move to maintain influence, though his party has been accused of corruption and suppressing democratic freedoms. The election is expected to be contentious, with the student-backed movement and other opposition groups vying for control.