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PoliticalSerbia·20 Aug 2026 · 6d ago

Serbia to hold snap elections in October, President Vucic says

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Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced that snap parliamentary elections will be held on October 18 or 25, moving the date forward from the original schedule of December 2027. The announcement followed 18 months of anti-government protests, which intensified after a November 2024 railway station accident in Novi Sad that resulted in 16 deaths. Vucic stated his Serbian Progressive Party will run as a single list against all other political options, though he did not specify when he would resign to trigger an early presidential vote. The elections occur as Serbia faces ongoing pressure to improve rule of law, combat corruption, and align its foreign policy with the European Union while maintaining ties with Russia and China.

Consequences

Vucic may potentially transition to the role of prime minister should his party secure a victory, maintaining his influence regardless of his official title. The outcome of the elections will serve as a test for the government amid domestic accusations of corruption, violence against opponents, and media suppression.

Sources

Straits Times
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