Serbian president announces early legislative elections for October

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced Thursday that early parliamentary elections are likely to take place in October, potentially on the 18th or 25th. This announcement comes after more than 18 months of anti-government protests demanding a new election, seemingly validating the demonstrators' calls.

"The parliamentary elections in Serbia will, in all probability, take place either on October 18 or October 25. We will know this in a few days," Vučić stated during an appearance on the national television RTS. These elections would occur more than a year before the normal deadline of December 2027, according to Agerpres.

Serbia has been shaken by widespread protests since November 2024, sparked by the collapse of a roof at the Novi Sad train station. The accident, which resulted in 16 deaths, fueled public anger among hundreds of thousands of citizens, led by a student movement. They view the incident as a consequence of pervasive corruption in a country negotiating EU membership while maintaining loyalty to Moscow.

Initial demands for a transparent investigation into the tragedy evolved into calls for early elections. Vučić had repeatedly promised these elections but had previously avoided setting a specific date. While the protest movement has lost some momentum, students have announced they will present their own list in the upcoming elections. A large rally in Belgrade in May gathered approximately 180,000 people, according to an independent count.

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The parliamentary elections in Serbia will, in all probability, take place either on October 18 or October 25. We will know this in a few days.