Serbia to Hold Parliamentary Elections on October 25, a Year Ahead of Schedule

Serbia will hold parliamentary elections on October 25, a year earlier than planned, as President Aleksandar Vucic faces a political crisis and sustained pressure from a student movement. Vucic said on state broadcaster RTS that he would issue a decree dissolving the National Assembly on Wednesday and call the election for noon local time.

Student protests have unfolded in repeated waves since November 2024. They began after a canopy collapsed at the railway station in Novi Sad, killing 16 people. The station work had been carried out by Chinese companies following what the article describes as a questionable public tender process. Universities across Serbia were blocked for months as students protested against Vucic's government.

Vucic, who has dominated Serbian politics for 12 years, said he hoped the election would end the crisis. He added that he would congratulate his rivals if they won and accept any democratic result. The student opposition has demanded early elections for months, while Serbia's opposition parties remain divided.

The article says Vucic controls much of the media, particularly influential tabloids that regularly campaign for him and against his opponents. Elections had otherwise been expected at the end of 2027.

The announcement comes after controversy over a large military-honours funeral in Belgrade for the late war criminal and genocide perpetrator Ratko Mladic, attended by several ministers. Vucic said criticism from neighbouring countries and the European Commission reflected only their “hatred” of Serbia. “The main target of the attack, of course, was me, but also Serbia. They have nothing to reproach Serbia for, except that they see my ghost everywhere,” he said.

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The main target of the attack, of course, was me, but also Serbia. They have nothing to reproach Serbia for, except that they see my ghost everywhere.