Serbia’s populist President Vucic resigns to run for prime minister at early vote
Former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic resigned on Sunday to run for prime minister in an early parliamentary election scheduled for October. Vucic, a right-wing populist and leader of the Serbian Progressive Party, stepped down seven months before his second term was set to expire in May. He is constitutionally barred from seeking a third presidential term. Vucic has since launched his campaign to maintain power through the parliamentary vote, which occurs amid a student-led anti-corruption movement and reports of a student revolt.
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- ✓ Aleksandar Vucic resigned as president on Sunday.
- ✓ Vucic intends to run for prime minister in early parliamentary elections in October.
- ✓ The Serbian Constitution prohibits Vucic from seeking a third presidential term.
- ✓ Vucic's second presidential term was scheduled to end in May.
What changed
Aleksandar Vucic has officially launched his campaign for prime minister following his resignation.
Live updates
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Aleksandar Vucic resigns as Serbian president to seek prime minister post
Former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic resigned on Sunday to run for prime minister in an early parliamentary election scheduled for October. Vucic, a right-wing populist and leader of the Serbian Progressive Party, stepped down seven months before his second term was set to expire in May. He is constitutionally barred from seeking a third presidential term. Vucic has since launched his campaign to maintain power through the parliamentary vote, which occurs amid a student-led anti-corruption movement and reports of a student revolt.
Why it matters
Vucic's move shifts his bid for power from the presidency to the premiership to bypass term limits. The upcoming snap election is expected to be one of the closest national contests in years. The political climate is strained by student protests and a reported tragedy that influenced the call for early elections.
What is confirmed
- Aleksandar Vucic resigned as president on Sunday.
- Vucic intends to run for prime minister in early parliamentary elections in October.
- The Serbian Constitution prohibits Vucic from seeking a third presidential term.
- Vucic's second presidential term was scheduled to end in May.
- Vucic is the candidate for the right-wing populist Serbian Progressive Party.
- The resignation occurred amid a student-led anti-corruption movement.
Still unconfirmed
- Vucic informed Vladimir Putin of his decision to resign.
- A specific tragedy forced Vucic to call the early elections.
What to watch next
- The results of the October parliamentary elections
- Whether Vucic successfully secures the prime minister post
- The progression of the student-led anti-corruption protests
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (23)
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- Reuters — Serbia's President Vucic resigns ahead of October parliamentary elections
- BBC — Embattled Serbian president resigns, paving way for early elections
- theguardian.com — Serbia’s populist president Aleksandar Vučić resigns to run for prime minister
- dw.com — Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announces resignation
- The New York Times — Serbia’s Longtime President Aleksandar Vucic Resigns Post
- AP News — Serbia’s populist President Vucic resigns to run for prime minister at early vote
- Al Jazeera — Serbia’s snap election: Can Vucic outmanoeuvre the student revolt?
- Yahoo — Serbian President Vučić Resigns Ahead Of Early Elections
- thetimes.com — The tragedy that forced Serbia’s strongman to call elections
- kyivpost.com — Vučić Resigns, Informs Putin of the Decision
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