Serbia to Hold Snap Election on October 18 or 25 Says Vucic

Serbia will hold a snap parliamentary election on either October 18 or October 25, President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday.

The election will come much earlier than the parliamentary vote that was originally expected in December 2027.

The announcement follows more than a year of anti-government protests, many of them led by students.

The demonstrations have put Vucic's government under growing pressure and raised questions about corruption, government accountability and the country's political direction.

• Serbia to hold snap parliamentary election on October 18 or 25
• Vucic calls early Serbia election amid months of anti-government protests
• Serbia election to test Vucic government after prolonged protests

Protests Increase Pressure on Government

The protests gained momentum after a concrete canopy at a railway station in Novi Sad collapsed in November 2024, killing 16 people. Protesters have blamed government failures and corruption for the disaster and have demanded greater accountability from officials.

The demonstrations have continued for months, making them one of the biggest challenges Vucic has faced during his long period in power. He has served as either president or prime minister for around 12 years and remains the country's most powerful political figure.

Vucic had earlier said he would step down as president within weeks and that Serbia could hold early parliamentary and presidential elections. However, he did not give a clear date for his resignation or say when the presidential election would take place.

He said the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) would contest the parliamentary election on a single list. Other political groups are expected to run separately.

The vote will give the ruling party an opportunity to test its support after months of protests and growing criticism from opposition groups.

EU Membership and Foreign Ties at Stake

Serbia's relationship with the European Union will also be an important issue during the election campaign. The country has been seeking EU membership, but progress has been slowed by concerns over the rule of law, corruption, electoral conditions and media freedom.

At the same time, Serbia has maintained close relations with Russia and China. Vucic has tried to preserve those ties while keeping the country's EU membership ambitions alive. Balancing these relationships is likely to remain a major challenge for the next government.

Opposition parties have accused Vucic and his allies of corruption, political pressure and weakening democratic institutions. The government has rejected the accusations.

The October election will therefore be an important test for Serbia's political future. A strong result could strengthen Vucic's political position, while a stronger-than-expected opposition performance could increase pressure for political change.

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With the election now expected in October, political parties have limited time to prepare their campaigns. The result could shape Serbia's domestic politics and influence its relations with the EU, Russia and China for years to come.