Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic announced his resignation on Sunday, according to multiple outlets. The announcement came in Belgrade and ends his second and final five-year presidential term.
The resignation paves the way for early presidential elections, with The Straits Times and Reuters specifying that parliamentary elections are expected in October.
Several outlets reported that Vucic intends to run for prime minister at an early vote, describing the move as a switch in political power. Bloomberg characterized the shift as echoing a move made by Russian President Vladimir Putin, a comparison not made by other outlets.
How each side covered it
Left
- Left-leaning outlets reported Vucic resigned specifically to run for prime minister at an early vote.
- Bloomberg drew a comparison between Vucic's move and a similar power switch made by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Serb President to Quit in Power Switch to Premier Echoing Putin” — Bloomberg
Center
- Center outlets reported the resignation ends Vucic's second and final five-year presidential term.
- The Straits Times and Reuters specified that parliamentary elections are expected in October.
- Center outlets described the resignation as paving the way for early presidential elections.
“Serbia's President Vucic resigns, paving way for early elections” — Reuters
Questions readers ask
What happened with Serbian President Vucic?
Aleksandar Vucic, Serbia's populist president, announced his resignation on Sunday in Belgrade, ending his second and final five-year term and paving the way for early elections.
Why did Vucic resign?
Sources report Vucic resigned to run for prime minister at an early vote, a move Bloomberg described as similar to a power switch made by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
When will new elections take place?
The Straits Times and Reuters report that early parliamentary elections are expected in October, following Vucic's resignation.
What did left-leaning and center outlets emphasize?
Left-leaning outlets emphasized Vucic's plan to become prime minister and drew a comparison to Vladimir Putin's political maneuvering, while center outlets focused on the resignation itself and the timeline for upcoming elections.
Sources · 15 outlet reports
- Al Jazeera EnglishLeft-leaningSerbian President Aleksandar Vucic resigns amid prolonged protests
- Associated PressLeft-leaningSerbia’s populist President Vucic resigns to run for prime minister at early vote
- BloombergLeft-leaningSerb President to Quit in Power Switch to Premier Echoing Putin
- The GuardianLeft-leaningSerbia’s populist president Aleksandar Vučić resigns to run for prime minister
- The Washington PostLeft-leaningSerbia's populist President Vucic resigns to run for prime minister at early vote
- BBC NewsCenterEmbattled Serbian president resigns, paving way for early elections
- Deutsche WelleCenterSerbian President Aleksandar Vucic announces resignation
- France 24CenterSerbian President Aleksandar Vucic resigns, expected to run for prime minister
- ReutersCenterSerbia's President Vucic resigns, paving way for early elections
- The HillCenterSerbia’s populist President Vucic resigns to run for prime minister at early vote
- The Straits TimesCenterSerbia's President Vucic resigns ahead of October parliamentary elections
- National PostRight-leaningPopulist Serbian president resigning to run for prime minister in snap election
- NewsmaxRight-leaningSerbia's Populist President Vucic Resigns to Run for Prime Minister at Early Vote
- The Jerusalem PostRight-leaningBenjamin Netanyahu ally Aleksandar Vucic resigns as Serbian president
- The Washington TimesRight-leaningSerbia's populist President Vucic resigns to run for prime minister at early vote