Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has resigned to run for prime minister in upcoming October elections. The move comes after he announced his resignation on Sept. 27, clearing the way for him to compete as a candidate in the nation's parliamentary elections. Vucic, who has been in office since 2014, is expected to remain the most powerful figure in Serbia if he secures the prime minister position.
Vucic, a right-wing populist leader with authoritarian tendencies, announced his early resignation to run as the Serbian Progressive Party's candidate for prime minister. He said this was the last evening in his role as president, expressing pride in his service to Serbia. The snap elections follow protests sparked by a train station collapse in Novi Sad that killed 16 people and was blamed on government corruption.
The snap elections come as part of a broader effort to address corruption and accountability. Vucic's resignation allows him to run for prime minister, while his party faces competition from student-led movements and pro-Western opposition. The elections will determine the next government, with Vucic's SNS and other parties vying for power. The outcome will have significant implications for Serbia's political and economic stability.