Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has surprised the public by suggesting that he may resign from his position as head of state, possibly as early as this summer. His departure from the Presidency building on Andrićev Venac would automatically trigger a series of constitutional procedures: the office would be temporarily assumed by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia, currently Ana Brnabić. This arrangement could last for a maximum of three months from the date of resignation, while presidential elections would have to be called within 90 days.
Such a development would also raise a key political question: is this a prelude to snap elections in which Vučić would stand as a candidate for Prime Minister?
Speaking about his future political plans, Vučić stated that he intends to resign from his current office.
“We are not going to create a student list, but we will create the most serious list possible, a list of the most responsible people, which will certainly include students. So when people want to vote for students, they can vote for our opposition. And I will not tell the people that I shortened my mandate; I will tell them that I resigned. Perhaps even earlier. During the summer. I have already started packing my books in the Presidency,” he said.
What does the law say in the event of a resignation?
Should he resign, Article 17 of the Law on the President of the Republic stipulates that the President of Serbia is replaced by the Speaker of the National Assembly. This arrangement can last for no more than three months. Under the current circumstances, that would mean that Ana Brnabić, as Speaker of Parliament, would assume the role.
The law further requires that new presidential elections be called within 90 days of the resignation.
It also specifies that no fewer than 30 days and no more than 60 days may pass between the calling of the election and polling day.
While acting as President of the Republic, the Speaker of the National Assembly is authorised to:
- Represent the Republic of Serbia at home and abroad;
- Receive letters of recall and credentials from foreign diplomatic representatives;
- Call elections for the National Assembly and propose a candidate for Prime Minister to Parliament;
- Exercise powers relating to the defence of the Republic of Serbia and serve as Commander-in-Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces.
In addition, the Speaker acting as President is obliged to dissolve the National Assembly in all cases where the Constitution requires the President to do so and must promulgate every law passed by Parliament through a formal decree.
“We will have parliamentary elections first, then presidential elections”
While these procedural issues are clearly regulated by law, the question remains whether Vučić’s resignation would serve as a prelude to parliamentary elections. Another open question is whether this would mean that Vučić intends to enter the race for Prime Minister.
Asked whether he is considering taking over the office of Prime Minister of Serbia, Vučić said on Wednesday that members of his party “think about it every day”.
It also remains unclear whether presidential and parliamentary elections would be held simultaneously or separately.
Vladimir Pejić, director of the public opinion research agency Faktor Plus, told Blic that he believes Vučić will resign once the conditions for forming a new government are in place and that there is a strong possibility he will accept calls from party colleagues to become Prime Minister.
“In my view, parliamentary elections will come first, probably in October, because they are important in every respect and reflect the mood of the electorate. Vučić will play the leading role in that campaign. Consequently, I believe presidential elections will follow towards the end of the year,” Pejić said.
The possibility of Vučić standing for Prime Minister is reportedly favoured by the leadership of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), judging by their recent statements. Many senior party figures have publicly advocated this option.
Recently, Miloš Vučević, President of the Serbian Progressive Party and an adviser to the President, said that he expects to see Aleksandar Vučić become the next Prime Minister.
“I cannot say that I agreed with every one of his decisions at every moment, but it has proven that he knows what he is doing. That is what defines a true statesman. It is unrealistic to expect him to become less involved in politics, and I believe Aleksandar Vučić still has the energy and expertise. It would be a great loss to waste such political capital. He does not have the luxury of withdrawing or stepping aside. We expect him to become Prime Minister,” Vučević said.
Ana Brnabić has taken a similar position, announcing that the SNS leadership will discuss with Aleksandar Vučić the possibility of him becoming the party’s candidate for Prime Minister.
(Blic, 12.06.2026)