Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic resigned on September 27, ending his second term early and clearing the way for him to campaign for prime minister in a snap parliamentary election on October 25.

Vucic signed his resignation at the presidency after addressing supporters gathered outside the building in central Belgrade. He said he wanted to participate in the parliamentary election as an “ordinary citizen”.

Under Serbia's constitution, Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic will serve as acting president until a new head of state is elected. Vucic said the first round of a presidential election would be held by the end of December.

The ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) is contesting the parliamentary election under the "Aleksandar Vucic - United Serbia" banner, with Vucic as its lead candidate and proposed candidate for prime minister if the party forms the next government.

"This is the last evening for me in this building," Vucic told supporters before signing his resignation. He said he had served Serbia faithfully and was proud of what had been achieved during his time in power.

Vucic, who has dominated Serbian politics for more than a decade, said the next government should preserve peace and stability, protect Serbia's national interests and continue economic development.

He also criticised the politicisation of education and said Serbia needed to focus on technological development, including artificial intelligence and robotics.

The October 25 election comes after nearly two years of regular student-led protests triggered by the November 2024 collapse of a railway station canopy in the northern city of Novi Sad that killed 16 people. The protests have posed the most significant challenge to SNS dominance in more than a decade.

The student-led movement has registered 250 candidates for the election under a list headed by a little-known cardiologist and University of Novi Sad professor Ilija Srdanovic. Its programme focuses on anti-corruption measures, judicial and institutional reform and education.

The SNS retained control of all 10 municipalities contested in local elections in March, although its vote share declined, including in areas where it had previously been dominant.

Vucic said that he would travel around Serbia from September 28 to listen to voters.

Vucic began his political career as an information minister under former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. He later served as defence minister, deputy prime minister and prime minister before becoming president in 2017.