Serbia: why is Vučić stepping down?
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has announced his resignation and called for early presidential and parliamentary elections. His second and final term would normally have gone on until the end of May 2027. Vučić has offered to help his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in the elections. Commentators discuss the strategic considerations behind this step by the head of state.
Uncertain times ahead
Political scientist Răzvan Munteanu examines in Adevărul whether a real alternative to Vučić could emerge:
“What is certain is that Serbia is entering a period of uncertainty in which, for the first time in many years, the future of the country's most influential political figure will no longer be linked to the presidency. The upcoming elections will not only determine the future head of state and the composition of the new parliament, but also reveal whether the wave of protests that erupted following the tragedy in Novi Sad can develop into a political alternative, or whether Aleksandar Vučić will once again succeed in remaining the key figure in Serbian politics, albeit in a new role [that of the next prime minister].”
Copying Putin
Vučić wants to step down in order to stay in power, Der Standard suspects:
“It's to be expected that the man who has built up an autocratic regime since 2014 intends to continue as prime minister. The fact that he holds the reins regardless of his position shows that the separation of powers in Serbia has long since ceased to function. Vučić also announced that the list in which he would stand in the elections would be called United Serbia. That sounds a lot like Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's party United Russia. Putin, too, alternated between the roles of prime minister and president. ... What Serbian society needs, however, is something very different: a clear separation of party and state, and institutions that serve the citizens rather than the party.”
Rival on the horizon
Večer looks at what comes next:
“If Vučić actually resigns, according to the constitution the parliament speaker, Ana Brnabić, would replace him as acting president – but only until presidential elections are held, in which she herself could stand as a candidate. ... The rector of the University of Belgrade, Vladan Đokić, has become a symbol of the student resistance movement. Unlike other rectors, he supported the students from the very beginning. ... He is seen as a potential rival to Aleksandar Vučić. It is therefore conceivable that he might head a party list in the parliamentary elections, or stand for the presidency himself. A change of government is unlikely to be straightforward, however. Vučić is known as a skilful tactician and a master of political manipulation.”