SERBIA

Serbia on the eve of a generational decision

To secure the unchallenged dominance that the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) has built up over the past decade and a half, Aleksandar Vučić announced in early September 2026 that he would resign as President of the Republic and thereafter lead the Balkan country, an EU candidate, as prime minister. As a result, Serbian citizens will be called to the polls twice before the end of the year – or even three times if there is a run-off in the presidential election.

Essentially, two scenarios are possible: The first would see Aleksandar Vučić remain in power, this time as Prime Minister with the support of his victorious SNS party, followed by a likely comfortable victory for a presidential candidate close to him, who, unlike Vučić, would largely limit his role to ceremonial duties. The second possibility is victory for the opposition student list, either on its own or in coalition with other opposition parties whose political orientations differ considerably in some cases.

Given the student list’s programmatic and personal heterogeneity, victory would probably lead to difficult coalition negotiations and a challenging process of forming a government; the country’s long-term political direction would initially remain uncertain. It is also entirely unclear at present whether the list will put forward its own presidential candidate, or who that might be. Nor is it possible to say what political positions that person would hold...

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