Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced that he will resign within weeks in the wake of anti-government protests that have continued for a year and a half.
President Vucic told supporters at a pro-government rally held in the capital, Belgrade, on June 27 (local time) that he would "serve as president for only a few more weeks before stepping down," Reuters reported.
President Vucic's second and final term is scheduled to end in the middle of next year.
President Vucic stated that he would help his party, the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), win the next presidential election and the early general election scheduled for next year.
However, he did not provide specific details regarding the exact date of his resignation or the timing of the dissolution of parliament, which is a prerequisite for an early general election.
In Serbia, anti-government protests have been surging since November 2024, when a roof collapsed at a train station in the northern city of Novi Sad, killing 16 people.
Citizens, led by students, have been demanding the president's resignation, pointing to the disregard for safety regulations due to corruption and President Vucic's mismanagement as the causes of the disaster.
President Vucic has held power as either president or prime minister for the past 12 years.
Given his immense political influence, Reuters analyzed that it is unlikely he will step away from the political stage even if he leaves the presidency early.
If his party wins the general election, there is a high possibility that he will return to the position of prime minister.
In an interview with Reuters last February, President Vucic said he was unsure about his plans after his term ends, but he did not rule out the possibility of returning to party politics or running for prime minister.
Analysts predict that President Vucic will attempt to install a close ally as his successor to the presidency in order to continue exercising real power.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)