Serbian President Vuçiç Follows Putin's Example: Announces Resignation But Does Not Let Go of Power

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vuçiç announced that he will resign from the presidency in a few weeks. However, this announcement does not indicate a complete withdrawal from politics; on the contrary, it was reported that Vuçiç plans to take an active role in the upcoming parliamentary election campaign at the invitation of his party members. The head of state made this statement during a speech in Belgrad over the weekend. In his statement, the president used the expressions, "I will remain president for only a few more weeks, and then I will resign." Nevertheless, Vuçiç avoided giving any exact date for his resignation, creating uncertainty about when the announcement will be realized.

In his speech over the weekend, Vuçiç painted a picture highlighting the progress Serbia has made since he came to power in 2012. Stating that the country was in an extremely difficult economic situation in 2012, Vuçiç claimed that there has been an increase of 550 thousand in the number of people employed to date. In addition, he emphasized that significant foreign investments have come to the country and that these investments have economically strengthened Serbia. By reiterating his promise of a significant salary increase for pensioners before the end of the year, he tried to maintain the economic support of the public. Vuçiç's speech was interpreted as an effort to consolidate the legitimacy of his uninterrupted leadership since 2012.

Vuçiç, whose political career is based on a long and comprehensive past, has been a key figure in making crucial decisions in Serbia's recent history. Taking his first step into senior management by assuming the role of deputy prime minister in 2012, Vuçiç sat in the prime minister's seat in 2014. Then, elected as president in the elections held in 2017, Vuçiç has remained in this position since that day, becoming the most powerful political figure in the country. Now, it is a matter of curiosity whether the decision to leave the presidency will change the political landscape in the country. Vuçiç's move is seen as a strategy to reposition his powers by utilizing the party leadership and the political power behind it, rather than bidding farewell to his office.

Serbia's foreign policy was also one of the notable topics in Vuçiç's speech. The head of state reiterated his intention to resolutely continue his country's European Union integration process. In addition, he emphasized the need to preserve the traditional and strategic ties maintained with countries such as Russia and China, which hold an important place in Serbia's foreign policy. This balancing policy reveals how the country's efforts to turn towards the West are reconciled with the relations it maintains with its allies in the Eastern bloc. Vuçiç's statements show that the government aims to protect Serbia's international interests by pursuing a multifaceted foreign policy.

The protests that have been going on for about a year and a half in Serbia, organized directly against Vuçiç's rule, were also one of the focal points of the speech. Claiming that foreign powers and foreign interests lie behind these mass protests, Vuçiç described the demonstrations as a foreign-mediated intervention. Whether the resignation decision will be a tactical step aimed at alleviating the political crisis and public dissatisfaction in the country is among the frequently debated topics. Many analysts compare Vuçiç's plan to the strategy followed by Vladimir Putin in Russia, which involves retaining power through his own party and re-establishing the status quo with a new parliamentary election. As a result, Serbia's political future in the near future will depend on what consequences Vuçiç's new position will bring and what kind of response the planned elections will find across the country.