Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić resigned on Sunday, ending his second and final five-year term and paving the way for an early presidential election as the country prepares for a snap parliamentary vote on 25 October.
Vučić's resignation, seven months before his term was due to end, also leaves open the possibility of him becoming prime minister if his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) forms the next government.
Under Serbia's constitution, outgoing Parliament Speaker, Ana Brnabic, will serve as interim president until a new head of state is elected.
The presidential election must be completed within 90 days, with Vučić saying the first round would be held by the end of December.
“This is the last evening for me in this building,” Vučić told supporters gathered outside the Presidency building in Belgrade before formally submitting his resignation.
“I have faithfully served you and my fatherland, Serbia ... I am proud of what we have done together,” he said.
The October parliamentary election follows nearly two years of student-led and anti-government protests that began after the collapse of a railway station canopy in the northern city of Novi Sad in November 2024 killed 16 people.
Protesters have demanded accountability, greater transparency and action against corruption. Rights groups have also accused Vučić and his allies of increasingly authoritarian rule, while authorities have denied allegations of abuses against protesters.
The October vote will pit Vučić's SNS and its allies against the student-led Students Win movement and the European Serbia alliance of pro-Western opposition parties. Several opposition groups have yet to select their presidential candidates.
Vučić, 56, has dominated Serbian politics for more than a decade, serving as either president or prime minister for 12 years. Although the presidency is largely ceremonial, he retained control over his party and played a central role in government policy.
His resignation follows his announcement in June that he would leave the presidency and that Serbia would hold early parliamentary and presidential elections.
Vučić has sought to maintain relations with Russia and China while pursuing Serbia's long-term goal of joining the European Union. Serbia remains an EU candidate, but Brussels has raised concerns over the rule of law, corruption, media freedom and election conditions.
Vučić also said on Sunday that he had granted amnesty and pardons to 49 people, including activists and his own supporters, who were arrested or prosecuted in connection with the protests.
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