SERBIA DISSOLVES PARLIAMENT, SETS OCTOBER 25 FOR SNAP ELECTION

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has dissolved the country’s parliament and called a snap parliamentary election for October 25, 2026, bringing forward a vote that was originally expected in 2027. The decision comes as Serbia continues to experience significant political tensions and prolonged anti-government protests that have challenged Vučić’s administration.

Vučić said the early election was necessary because of the political conflicts and tensions facing the country, arguing that delaying the vote could threaten Serbia’s democratic stability. The 250-member National Assembly has therefore been dissolved, paving the way for voters to decide the composition of a new parliament later next month.

The election will take place against the backdrop of nearly two years of student-led demonstrations triggered by the November 2024 collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad, which killed 16 people. The tragedy sparked widespread protests demanding accountability and action against corruption, with demonstrators increasingly challenging Vučić’s long-standing political dominance.

The Serbian Progressive Party, which has dominated national politics under Vučić, recently nominated the president to become its candidate for prime minister if it retains power. Vučić, who has served as either president or prime minister since 2014, cannot seek another presidential term and is seeking a new political route through the parliamentary election. It remains unclear when exactly he would leave the presidency to pursue the prime ministerial position.

The October vote is expected to become a major test for the ruling party as opposition groups and a growing student-backed political movement seek to capitalise on public dissatisfaction. Critics have accused Vučić and his allies of corruption, authoritarian practices and restrictions on media freedom, allegations they reject. The election could therefore determine whether the ruling bloc maintains its grip on Serbia or faces a significant shift in the country's political landscape.