Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced his resignation on Thursday, removing a key obstacle to holding early parliamentary and presidential votes later this year.

Vučić made the announcement outside the presidential palace in Belgrade, stating that his government had maintained peace and stability during his nine-year rule. He had previously declared his intention to step down in June and is now seeking to lead his party, the Serbian Progressive Party, in the upcoming parliamentary election scheduled for late October.

The resignation follows more than a year of widespread protests triggered by allegations of corruption and concerns over democratic backsliding. Demonstrations, which began in late 2023, drew students, teachers, workers and farmers who accused the government of undermining institutions and prioritizing personal and political interests. Protesters also cited a recent train station collapse that killed eight people, arguing it symbolized broader failures in governance.

Despite a series of cabinet resignations earlier in the year, demonstrators continued to press for systemic change, accusing authorities of using repression to silence dissent. In response, Vučić issued pardons to 49 individuals, including 23 students and party members, for their alleged roles in the protests.

Under Serbia’s constitution, presidential elections must be held within three months of a vacancy. With Vučić’s term ending next year, the country will hold two rounds of elections before year’s end: parliamentary elections in October and a presidential vote in November.

Parliamentary Speaker Ana Brnabić, also a member of the Progressive Party, will serve as interim president until a successor is elected. The upcoming parliamentary contest will feature Vučić’s party against a coalition of pro-Western opposition groups and a student-led anti-corruption movement known as Students Win.

Vučić, a dominant figure in Serbian politics since 2014, has previously held the positions of prime minister and president. He has publicly expressed a desire for Serbia to join the European Union while maintaining close ties with Russia and pursuing Chinese investment in major infrastructure projects.