Serbian ruling party urges President Vucic to become prime minister after snap vote
Serbia’s governing Serbian Progressive Party has formally suggested that President Aleksandar Vucic assume the premiership if it wins the upcoming early parliamentary election.
Serbia’s ruling Serbian Progressive Party formally put forward a plan for President Aleksandar Vucic to step down and become prime minister if the party secures victory in an early parliamentary election slated for Oct. 25. The election comes after more than a year of mass protests triggered by a 2024 train-station canopy collapse in Novi Sad that killed 16, with demonstrators demanding accountability and an end to perceived corruption.
On the day of the party’s meeting in Niš, police cordoned off the National Theater to keep protesters away, while Vucic told party officials he would dissolve parliament and resign the presidency to join the campaign. He also warned that foreign forces were behind the unrest. The ballot will feature a student-organized list of university professors and experts, as well as traditional right-wing and centre-left opposition parties.
Earlier this week, a university student group said at least 14 members had been targeted with spyware, a claim dismissed by authorities. Serbia’s EU accession process remains stalled amid concerns over democratic backsliding and Vucic’s refusal to align with EU sanctions on Russia.
Why it matters
The proposal could reshape Serbia’s power structure and influence its EU accession prospects amid ongoing protests.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage frames the proposal as a response to widespread protests and corruption concerns, while right-leaning coverage presents it as a planned, orderly transition to a smaller cabinet and succession to younger leaders.
LEFT
The story is portrayed as a political move amid mass protests over a deadly train-station collapse, with emphasis on demands for accountability, accusations of corruption, and claims of foreign forces stoking unrest.
RIGHT
The story is portrayed as a scheduled early election and Vucic’s intended return as prime minister, highlighting a streamlined cabinet and a planned hand-over to younger politicians.
The left emphasises
- mass protests triggered by the 2024 train-station canopy collapse that killed 16
- demonstrators demanding accountability and an end to perceived corruption
- Vucic’s warning that foreign forces were behind the unrest
The right emphasises
- Vucic will issue a decree for early elections within days
- proposed new administration limited to no more than twelve ministers
- this would likely be his final term before handing leadership to younger politicians
In this story
