After more than a year and a half of protests against the government and corruption, Serbia is heading towards early parliamentary elections. President Aleksandar Vučić announced that the votes are expected to be held on October 18 or 25, 2026.
In an interview with state broadcaster RTS, Vučić said that one of these two dates will be election day, with the final decision expected in the coming days. Parliamentary elections, according to the normal schedule, should be held in 2027.
Protests led mainly by students have been ongoing for months, with demands related to institutional accountability, the fight against corruption and the holding of early elections. The student movement gained momentum after the collapse of a tent at the Novi Sad railway station in November 2024, in which 16 people lost their lives.
Will Vučić return as prime minister?
The announcement of the elections comes at a time when the political future of Aleksandar Vučić remains one of the main issues in Serbia.
In late June, the Serbian president announced that he would step down and the country would head towards early elections. However, he has not yet determined when he will step down to pave the way for presidential elections.
Meanwhile, speculation has been circulating for weeks that Vučić could return to the post of prime minister if the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) wins the parliamentary elections.
Vučić held the post from 2014 to 2017, before being elected president. Analysts believe that his return to the top of the government would allow him to maintain political influence even after leaving the presidency.
The protests have shaken the government
The political crisis in Serbia erupted after the tragedy in Novi Sad, which turned into a broad student movement against corruption and Vučić's way of governing.
Pressure from protesters has been one of the main factors pushing authorities to discuss early elections. Now, with two dates set on the table, the political battle is expected to enter a new phase.
Whether the elections are held on October 18 or 25, they will constitute an important test for the SNS and the student movement that has been challenging Vučić's rule for months.
