Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic resigned on Sunday, September 27, triggering early presidential elections. Vucic’s second presidential term would have ended in May of next year and the Serbian constitution prohibits him from seeking a third term.

“This is my last night in this building,” he told the crowd waving flags minutes before resigning. I have faithfully served you and my homeland, Serbia… I am proud of what we have achieved together,’ he said.

At the beginning of the month, Vucic had dissolved parliament and called early elections for 25 October, seeking to extend his term by running for prime minister.

Following the resignation of Vucic, Ana Brnabic, a close ally and former speaker of the Serbian parliament, will assume the interim presidency. A new Parliament, elected on 25 October, will in turn appoint a new president who will nominate the prime minister and call presidential elections.

Vucic and his party have been accused of corruption, links with organized crime and suppression of democratic freedoms, although they deny these accusations and promise to fight against corruption.

Analysts predict a fierce electoral contest in Serbia between the student group and Vucic, resembling a referendum. Other parties such as the Socialist, a pro-European alliance and smaller groups also compete.

Authorities have responded to protests with violence, while Vucic accuses his opponents of seeking to “destroy the state” under foreign influence, without presenting evidence.

Vucic also claimed that foreign powers are seeking to create disturbances in the elections. Serbia’s EU accession has stalled due to democratic regression and Vucic’s refusal to sanction Russia.

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