Serbian President Vucic resigns to run for prime minister in early elections
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Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced on September 27 that he would resign later that evening, fulfilling a plan first stated in June to step down and run for prime minister. The ruling Serbian Progressive Party nominated him as its candidate for parliament and prime minister on September 5. He dissolved parliament on September 9, calling early elections for October 25. Upon his resignation, Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic will serve as acting president for up to three months until a new presidential election is organized. Vucic, 56, has served as president since 2017 and was re-elected in 2022. He previously served as prime minister from 2014 to 2017. The article notes Serbia's strategic goal of EU accession, while maintaining traditional ties with China and Russia. Under Vucic, Serbia has pursued economic reforms and privatization, with GDP reaching approximately $95.6 billion in 2025. China is Serbia's largest source of foreign direct investment, totaling 7.3 billion euros, and the two countries have signed numerous bilateral agreements including a free trade deal and cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Source report
Belgrade, September 27 — Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced on Friday that he will formally submit his resignation at approximately 8:00 PM local time, according to an interview he gave to Serbian Broadcasting Television (RTS), as reported by Xinhua News Agency.
Background to the Resignation
Vučić had previously indicated his intention to step down during an interview on June 11, stating he would then run for office as an ordinary citizen. On September 5, the Main Committee of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) nominated Vučić as the party's candidate for parliamentary elections and prime minister, which he accepted. On September 9, he signed a decree dissolving the National Assembly and called for early parliamentary elections on October 25.
Transition of Power
Following Vučić's early departure, current National Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabić will serve as acting president for a maximum term of three months, during which a new presidential election will be organized.
About Serbia
Located on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe, Serbia has a population of 8.18 million. Its major industrial sectors include metallurgy, automobile manufacturing, textiles, and instrument processing.
Historical Overview
- From the 9th century, Slavic groups migrating to the Balkans began establishing states, including Serbia.
- After World War II, Serbia became one of six republics within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
- In 1991, Yugoslavia began to dissolve.
- In 1992, Serbia and Montenegro formed the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
- On February 4, 2003, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was renamed Serbia and Montenegro.
Political System
Under the constitution enacted in 2006, Serbia operates as a parliamentary republic with a separation of powers:
- President: Head of state and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, responsible for diplomatic representation, promulgating laws, nominating the prime minister candidate, and dissolving parliament under specific conditions. The president is directly elected for a five-year term, renewable only once.
- Prime Minister: Head of the executive branch, holding full authority over the budget, personnel appointments, policy implementation, and all daily governance matters.
- Judiciary: Fully independent of the executive branch, exercised by ordinary courts, specialized courts, and the Constitutional Court.
Profile of Aleksandar Vučić
Born in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, Vučić is 56 years old. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Belgrade and studied English in Brighton, United Kingdom, after graduation. Upon returning to what was then Yugoslavia, he worked as a journalist in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Political Career
- 1998–2000: Served as Minister of Information of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
- September 2012 – May 2023: Chairman of the Serbian Progressive Party
- 2012–2014: First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense
- April 2014: Appointed Prime Minister
- May 31, 2017: Inaugurated as President
- April 3, 2022: Won a landslide re-election victory, with his second term set to end in the first half of next year
Foreign Policy and Economic Relations
Serbia has consistently set EU accession as a national strategic goal. As of September 2026, 22 of 35 negotiation chapters have been opened. Vučić has repeatedly emphasized that while advancing the European path, Serbia will continue to maintain traditional friendly relations with China and Russia.
Under Vučić's leadership, Serbia has actively pursued economic reforms, promoted privatization, and improved the investment environment, achieving economic growth. In 2025, Serbia's GDP reached approximately $95.6 billion. Bilateral trade between China and Serbia totaled $6.49 billion, a year-on-year increase of 13%, with Chinese exports at $4.13 billion and imports at $2.36 billion.
China-Serbia Cooperation
China and Serbia are jointly building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era. China is Serbia's largest source of direct investment, with cumulative direct investment reaching €7.3 billion.
The two governments have signed several agreements, including:
- Memorandum of Understanding on jointly promoting the Belt and Road Initiative
- Bilateral cooperation plan under the Belt and Road Initiative framework
- Mid-term action plan for Belt and Road cooperation (2023–2025)
- Economic and trade mixed committee mechanism
- Free Trade Agreement
- Investment Protection Agreement
- Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation
- Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation in Infrastructure
- Cultural Cooperation Agreement
- Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement
- Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia
Source
界面新闻Eastern
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Serbian President Vucic resigns to run for prime minister in snap election