Serbia’s president hints departure at scorching rally

BELGRADE: Thousands gathered in scorching heat in Belgrade on Saturday for a ruling party rally to hear Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic declare he would step down within “weeks”.

Serbia has seen regular anti-corruption protests since 16 people were killed in the November 2024 canopy collapse at Novi Sad’s railway station, with calls for a transparent investigation growing into demands for early elections.

Vucic, who has dominated Serbian politics for more than a decade, has repeatedly called protesters “foreign agents”, accusing them of seeking to overthrow the government.

But speaking to his supporters under a strong sun, he said these were his “last days and weeks as president of the Republic”.

“I will be president for just a few more weeks, then I will resign,” Vucic said, without giving further details.

His speech echoed recent remarks about possibly stepping down amid rumours he may try to become prime minister again, an office he held from 2014-2017.

Vucic said he would help his Serbian Progressive Party “win the trust of the people” in future elections, without setting an election date.

For Milomir Cimbaljevic, 74, a supporter from Belgrade, Vucic stays “the leader”.

“I wish him lots of luck and may he lead us for as long as he can,” the pensioner told AFP.

“This is important for the future of our children and all our young people,” 60-year-old Darinka Avramov, who wore a white hat with the initials of the Serbian president, told AFP.

The outdoor rally followed an all-day programme, with free food and folk music, despite a heatwave gripping much of the Balkans, with temperatures topping 35°C by midday and the public health institute issuing a red alert.

The president took the stage after his supporters carried a Serbian flag that organisers said weighed one tonne and stretched 500m, symbolising unity.

Humanoid robots were also shown on stage after Vucic had viewed prototypes in China last month and announced plans to begin producing them in Serbia.

Vladimir, 47, watched the speech wearing a white T-shirt with Vucic’s party slogan “Serbia wins”. He said he came to “support the country”.

Parliamentary and presidential elections are due in 2027, but Vucic has floated the idea of calling early elections, though without setting a date. Serbia, however, has already taken on a campaign-like atmosphere.

Rhetoric has hardened, with accusations that protesting students are trying to overthrow the government “through organised action” aimed at “fuelling divisions”.

On Sunday, in response to Vucic’s rally, students are set to hold their own gathering in Kraljevo, central Serbia, also promoting national unity while renewing calls for early elections.

Both rallies mark Vidovdan, a June 28 national and religious holiday in Serbia and a symbol of historical turning points, from the 1389 Kosovo battle to the 1914 assassination of Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo.