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Serbian government moves to dissolve parliament, paving the way for snap election

From Al Jazeera · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Serbia’s government has proposed dissolving parliament, paving the way for early parliamentary elections expected in October.
  • The vote would test President Aleksandar Vucic’s control after nearly two years of anti-government protests sparked by the deaths of 16 people in a 2024 railway-station canopy collapse.
  • Opposition groups and demonstrators accuse Vucic’s allies of corruption, violence, organised-crime ties and restrictions on media freedom, allegations the president’s circle denies.

Serbia is heading toward an early parliamentary election after Prime Minister Djuro Macut announced the government’s proposal to dissolve parliament in Belgrade. President Aleksandar Vucic said the vote could take place on October 18 or 25, although he is expected to set the final date in the coming days.

The election was not due until December next year. Its timing has prompted speculation that Vucic may seek to become prime minister after 12 years running the country as president or prime minister. His Serbian Progressive Party nominated him for the role on Saturday.

If we want to mitigate tensions in society there is no better way than to ask people

· Djuro MacutThe Serbian prime minister used the statement to justify calling an early election.

The move follows nearly two years of large anti-corruption demonstrations. The protests began after 16 people died when a concrete canopy collapsed at a railway station in 2024. A student-led movement has repeatedly demanded early elections and has organised protests, blockades and other actions against the government.

Serbia has faced protests, blockades, deep divisions, problems in education and heavy pressure on institutions

· Djuro MacutMacut listed the pressures facing Serbia while addressing ministers.

Macut said asking voters to decide was the best way to reduce tensions. “If we want to mitigate tensions in society there is no better way than to ask people,” he said. He told ministers that Serbia had faced protests, blockades, deep divisions, problems in education and heavy pressure on institutions, adding that “a responsible government never ignores such demands.”

The election will test how firmly Vucic still controls Serbian politics. His opponents accuse him and his allies of violence against political rivals, widespread corruption, links to organised crime and suppressing media freedoms. Vucic and those around him deny wrongdoing. The opposition also criticises the stalled bid to join the European Union, while Vucic has maintained close relations with Russia and China. The president has faced fresh European Union pressure after former Bosnian Serb commander Ratko Mladic, convicted by a United Nations court as a war criminal, was buried in Serbia with public homage as a hero.

a responsible government never ignores such demands

· Djuro MacutMacut referred to public calls for early parliamentary elections.
About this summary

Originally published by Al Jazeera in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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