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Shkruar nga PamfletiWhether it's state institutions, the Church, or the media, Serbia's authoritarian president, Aleksandar Vučić, is known for his desire to have influence in all areas of society.
Tens of thousands of his supporters, some voluntarily, some under pressure, arrived in Belgrade from all over Serbia on Saturday, as usual in organized buses. Then their idol stood at the microphone on the stage in front of parliament to announce his untimely departure from the highest state office, Deutsche Welle writes.
"I will be president for only a few more weeks and then I will resign," Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said at a large rally in central Belgrade.
He added that he offered the leadership of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) help in the upcoming elections. His electoral list should be called "United Serbia", reminiscent of the name "United Russia", the party of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Vučić is known for sometimes seeking proximity to Russia and sometimes to the European Union.
Moving to the post of Prime Minister?
"This by no means means the end of Vučić's political career," analyst Radivoje Grujić told Reuters news agency. According to him, Vučić already has a plan that does not include political retirement.
Vučić's second presidential term ends at the end of May next year. He cannot run for a third term. The current parliament's term runs until February 2028. Vučić is expected to call early parliamentary elections and, as the leader of the SNS list, will try to win the post of Prime Minister if he wins the election.
He himself has hinted on several occasions that early parliamentary elections could be held this year, but has not yet announced a specific date.
As President of the Republic, Vučić formally has mainly protocol powers. However, in practice, since 2012, he has independently decided on all important issues in Serbia, regardless of the function he performs. He was already Prime Minister from 2014 to 2017.
Protest movement increases pressure on Vučić
Vučić and the Serbian government have been under intense pressure from a mass protest movement since the collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy in November 2024. In that accident, 16 people died after being crushed by parts of the roof that were apparently improperly installed.
Protesters, the opposition and human rights groups believe the tragedy was caused by mismanagement of state construction projects and the incompetence of the relevant institutions. The judiciary, which is under Vučić's influence, has so far prevented the prosecution of those responsible.
The protest movement has been calling for early parliamentary elections for about a year.
Savo Manojlović, one of the student leaders, said that Vučić is trying to prevent his inevitable political downfall caused by the protests by calling early elections.
However, Vučić at Saturday's rally accused the protesters of wanting to destroy Serbia, as well as of collaborating with unidentified foreign powers. If the SNS wins the election, he promised an end to corruption, higher pensions and improvements to the state healthcare system.
On the other hand, the opposition accuses Vučić and his allies of violence against political opponents, widespread corruption, links to organized crime, and suppression of media freedom.
According to public opinion polls, a list drawn up or supported by students could win the upcoming parliamentary elections. Such a unified list at the national level does not yet exist. However, students have already achieved their first noticeable results in local elections.
The protest movement regularly brings large numbers of citizens onto the streets. Last month, some 180,000 people protested against the government in central Belgrade, according to estimates by the Archive of Public Gatherings, an independent professional organization.
Balancing between the European Union, Russia and China
The internal political tensions are occurring at a time when Serbia is pursuing a sensitive balancing act on the foreign policy front. The country is a candidate for membership in the European Union, but at the same time maintains close relations with Russia and China.
Before joining the EU, Serbia must improve the rule of law, which includes ensuring conditions for free and fair elections, as well as a more effective fight against corruption and organized crime.
In addition, the European Union demands that the authorities in Belgrade harmonize Serbia's foreign policy with the Union's common foreign policy.
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