Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has announced his intention to resign in the near future, stating that he has begun preparing for the transition by packing books in the presidential residence. This statement was made during an interview on Radio Belgrade.
In response to a question regarding his potential resignation in three to four months, Vučić remarked, “Perhaps sooner. I have started packing books in the presidential residence. I have many books, and I am considering where to put them.” He also mentioned that he is contemplating a candidacy for the position of Prime Minister, noting that elections are scheduled to occur in a few months.
The political landscape in Serbia has been increasingly tense, particularly since December 2025, when university students intensified their calls for early parliamentary elections. Many believe these elections could lead to the removal of President Vučić from power.
Previously, Vučić had indicated that early parliamentary elections would take place in 2026, acknowledging the challenges ahead for the country while asserting that the government is committed to addressing them.
In a separate but related context, on November 4, 2024, a concrete canopy collapsed at the railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city, resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals. The station had undergone renovations in 2021 and was again under repair in 2024.
Following the incident, the Minister of Infrastructure resigned, asserting that neither he nor his colleagues were responsible for the tragedy. The same day, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets, accusing the government of corruption and demanding the resignations of several officials, including Mayor Milan Đurić, Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, and President Vučić. Protests persisted for several months, with activists blocking major highways and bridges over the Danube in Novi Sad until July 2025.
On March 16, President Vučić responded to the widespread protests, expressing his readiness to hold elections within the next three to four months if required by the opposition.
On July 22, a Serbian court awarded compensation to the family of a victim from the Novi Sad railway station collapse, marking the first such ruling related to the incident. Subsequently, on August 1, former Minister of Trade Tomislav Momirović and ten others were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the collapse.
As the country grapples with ongoing protests, early parliamentary elections are anticipated.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has signaled a potential resignation, coinciding with rising political unrest and calls for early elections. The context includes recent protests following a tragic railway station incident that has heightened scrutiny of government accountability.