Serb President to Quit in Power Switch to Premier Echoing Putin

Embattled Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is expected to resign on Sunday in a well-telegraphed move as he seeks to transition to the role of prime minister as a way of staying close to power in the Balkan nation.

Parliamentary Speaker Ana Brnabic, his ally, will take over the presidential role for an interim period. Meanwhile, Serbs head to a snap election on Oct. 25 that seeks to resolve almost two years of anti-government protests that have evolved from an irritant to a threat for Vucic.

Still, he’s confident his Progressive Party will prevail, extending the grip on power it’s held since 2012, even as polls are mixed. Vucic’s plan to switch to the premier’s role echoes that of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who stayed in power by spending a four-year stint as prime minister to dodge presidential term limits.

Vucic spoke with Putin on Saturday, informing the Russian leader about preparations for the election, the Kremlin said in a statement. Both sides stressed the need to block outside interference in the electoral process, according to Russia.

For Vucic’s plan to work, the Progressive Party needs to beat one of its strongest political adversaries ever, the Student List, which promises to undo the president’s total control over public institutions, including judiciary and media, while ensuring accessible housing and healthcare.

Read more: Serb Strongman’s Challengers Stay Under Wraps as Election Looms

The student-led movement grew out of mass protests started in 2024 after a canopy collapse at a newly refurbished railway station in Novi Sad killed 16 people, sparking public outrage amid accusations of corruption in the awarding of contracts, and incompetence among the ruling elites.

During Vucic’s more than nine years in office, Serbia has tried to keep alive its stalled bid to join the European Union while also maintaining friendly relations with Moscow and attracting outside investment.

He’s also turned the landlocked nation of about 6.5 million people into a key gateway for China into Europe, plowing billions of dollars into Serbian industries from mining to humanoid robots.

Read more: The $2.4 Billion Legacy Project That Will Change Belgrade

Vucic, 56, has notably failed to mend ties with neighboring Kosovo, a key requirement for proceeding toward EU membership.

The president has denied allegations of voter intimidation, ballot box tampering and other irregularities that opponents say have marred previous elections.