Serbia schedules snap parliamentary vote for October 18, President Vucic announces

President Aleksandar Vucic told viewers that Serbia will conduct early parliamentary elections on October 18, moving the schedule up from the originally planned December 2027 date. He indicated that the precise date will be confirmed in the coming days. The ballot will feature the Serbian Progressive Party on one list and all other political options on another.

This decision arrives after more than a year of protests ignited by a November 2024 railway station awning collapse in Novi Sad that killed 16 people. Vucic, who has served as either president or prime minister for 12 years, previously said he would resign within weeks, but he did not specify the timing for an early presidential vote. Analysts suggest he could remain prime minister if his party wins, preserving his influence regardless of title. Serbia continues its EU accession bid while maintaining close ties with Russia and China.