Aleksandar Vu has resigned as President of Serbia, announced in a public address, marking the end of his second presidential term. The resignation follows nine years at the head of state, with the departure having been anticipated in recent weeks.
According to the Constitution of Serbia, the President of the National Assembly, Ana Brnabi, will now assume the duties of the president. The constitution stipulates that presidential elections must be held within three months of the resignation. The constitution explicitly states that the term of office of the president ends, among other things, by resignation, and that the resignation is submitted to the President of the National Assembly. After the president's term ends, the constitution provides that the president of the National Assembly, who is required to announce presidential elections, will serve as acting president, with the elections to be held no later than three months after the end of the term. The presidential term in Serbia lasts five years, and the constitution stipulates that the same person can be elected president at most twice. Vu was first elected president in 2017, and won a second term in 2022.
Vu has today said goodbye to the office with a message posted on Instagram and addressed citizens in front of the building of the General Secretariat of the President of the Republic. The Presidency confirmed earlier that Vu would address the public at 20:00 at the building of the General Secretariat of the President of the Republic. The President of Serbia addressed the public for the last time today.
Vu said: "Tonight is a special occasion for me, for the last time I am in this beautiful building, proud that I was elected with your votes and support. I know that we have many victories ahead and that Serbia will become even stronger." He stated that he had served "faithfully, honourably and honestly" during two presidential terms. He expressed satisfaction with the results of his government. Vu wrote: "I am proud of everything we have done together, of how Serbia has changed its face." He also said: "I have served you faithfully, all of you, our homeland Serbia, I have served honourably and honestly in two presidential terms. Let Serbia win! Thank you for all the love and support! I have been one of you, and from tomorrow I will be one of you in the fight for Serbia." Vu stressed that his presidential term had been a great honour and that he was proud of what had been achieved during his years in office. Vu said: "Being President of Serbia was the greatest honour. I have tried every day to give my all to justify the trust shown to me and to serve my country faithfully. Long live Serbia!"
Vu had earlier announced that he would make a decision on the pardon and amnesty of certain individuals following the events of the past year and a half, without specifying to whom the decisions would apply. Vu said that he was implementing a strategy of "quiet presidential elections". Vu added that this had been clear to everyone six months ago. Vu said that more than a month would pass between the end of the parliamentary elections and the promulgation of the presidential elections, as the campaign for the presidential elections was shorter.
The day after the presidential election, as he had previously announced, would mean entering a new phase of political action for Vu. Vu's departure from the presidential office comes at a time when Serbia is preparing for the extraordinary parliamentary elections scheduled for 25 October. The Electoral Commission has already confirmed the list of candidates for the list of Aleksandar Vu - United Serbia. Vu had previously announced that he would actively participate in the pre-election campaign. His plan, according to earlier statements and current reports, is to participate in the parliamentary elections as the leader of the list, after which, in the event of a victory for his political party and the formation of a parliamentary majority, he could once again take up the position of Prime Minister of Serbia. During the campaign, he announced that, after leaving the office of the President, he would visit many places in Serbia and speak directly to the citizens. His return to the post of Prime Minister would depend on the results of the parliamentary elections and the process of forming a new government after the elections. The Constitution of Serbia stipulates that the President of the Republic proposes the candidate for the Prime Minister after considering the opinions of the representatives of the electoral lists, while the new government is elected by the National Assembly.
The Electoral Commission has meanwhile confirmed several electoral lists, including the list of Aleksandar Vu - United Serbia, while other political parties are also in the race, including the student list and a number of parties and coalitions. The extraordinary parliamentary elections were held after the dissolution of the National Assembly, and the electoral procedure is already under way. Vu had previously spoken of the importance of the parliamentary elections for the future direction of the country. His resignation comes after almost ten years at the head of Serbia, and the focus now shifts to the parliamentary elections of 25 October.
