Serbia dissolves parliament and calls early elections for October

16:13

By: Azzat Manal

Serbia dissolves parliament and calls early elections for October

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has dissolved the country’s parliament and called an early legislative election for October 25, in a move widely seen as an attempt to strengthen his political position amid growing domestic tensions.

The decision followed a proposal from the Serbian government and continues a pattern of holding parliamentary elections ahead of schedule. Serbia previously held early legislative elections in December 2023 and April 2022, despite the parliament normally serving a four-year term.

The announcement comes as Vučić approaches the final year of his current presidential mandate. Serbia’s Constitution prevents him from seeking a third consecutive presidential term, raising questions about his political future and the direction he could take after leaving the presidency.

Vučić has previously suggested that he could eventually seek the position of prime minister, potentially stepping down from the presidency to take a leading role in a future government.

The early election also comes against the backdrop of sustained anti-government protests that have shaken Serbia since the collapse of a concrete canopy at the railway station in Novi Sad in November 2024. The disaster killed 16 people and triggered widespread public anger over alleged corruption, poor oversight and institutional failures.

Student-led demonstrations have since spread across Serbian cities, with protesters demanding greater accountability and accusing the authorities of negligence. Some demonstrations have also called for Vučić to leave office, turning the tragedy into a broader challenge to the government.

The election is therefore expected to serve as an important test of public support for Vučić and his political movement. The campaign is likely to focus heavily on the government’s record, corruption concerns, institutional accountability and the country’s political future.