Serbia to have early parliamentary elections amid nation upheaval
(MENAFN) Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced plans to call early parliamentary elections amid ongoing anti-government protests.
The unrest began in November 2024 following a roof collapse at a Novi Sad railway station that claimed 16 lives. Activists have accused the government of corruption and demanded snap elections along with Vucic’s resignation.
Vucic and his supporters have characterized the demonstrations as externally influenced attempts at regime change, describing them as part of a coordinated “color revolution” supported by Western governments through NGOs. He has also accused opposition forces of collaborating with Western, Croatian, and Albanian intelligence agencies to destabilize his administration.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Vucic said parliamentary elections “will be held before the end of the term” of the current National Assembly, which expires in December 2027. “The competent institutions in our country will make decisions in accordance with the Constitution and the law, but, with respect to the demands of the protesters to hold the elections early… they will be held ahead of schedule,” he added, noting that the exact date will be set later.
In later comments, Vucic referenced a “six-month term,” which some Serbian media interpreted as a suggestion that the snap vote could take place as soon as next year.
The announcement came amid renewed demonstrations marking the first anniversary of the Novi Sad tragedy. Supporters and opponents of Vucic’s ruling SNS party clashed in Belgrade on Sunday, with police struggling to maintain separation. Media reports described bottles and firecrackers being thrown and dozens of detentions.
In response to public pressure, the government previously offered concessions, including several ministerial resignations and the release of documents related to the Novi Sad incident.
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