Belgrade: Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday that he would resign on September 25 or 26 and then campaign as an ordinary citizen for the Prime Minister in the snap Parliamentary elections due on October 25.
He made the remarks during a presentation of new measures to improve citizens’ living standards, in response to a question from local media about when he planned to resign.
According to Serbian news agency Tanjug, Vucic said he would resign after completing his official activities in the United States this month.
“I will resign and then I will campaign as an ordinary citizen, which the law does not oblige me to do,” he said.
“I want to go as an ordinary person and an ordinary citizen.”
Vucic signed a decree dissolving Parliament on Wednesday and called snap Parliamentary elections for October 25, Xinhua news agency reported.
He made the announcement in a televised address, saying the decision was aimed at easing prolonged political tensions and giving voters a clear say on the country’s future.
“We need election results that will clearly determine and demonstrate the will of the citizens, where, in what direction, and on what path Serbia is heading,” he said.
As president, Vucic said, he had always been guided by “the vital state interests of the Republic of Serbia and the interests of the citizens of Serbia”.
He noted that the timing of the election would allow Serbia to prepare for Expo 2027, which will open in Belgrade in May next year, as well as for the country’s future development.
“We will have enough time to prepare for the Expo and for everything that lies ahead,” he said.
Vucic urged political parties and voters to take part in the 45-day campaign in a peaceful and dignified manner, respect differing political views, and respect the choices made by voters.
“It is important to respect different political opinions, the right to freedom of assembly, and public expression,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the Serbian people would “choose the right path into the future”.
Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut formally proposed that the government ask the President to dissolve the National Assembly and call Parliamentary elections following an extraordinary government session on Monday.
Vucic was elected President in April 2017 and re-elected in April 2022.
Under Serbia’s Constitution, the President serves a five-year term and may be re-elected once.
(IANS)
