Brnabić assumes Serbia’s presidential duties after Vučić resigns

Ana Brnabić has assumed Serbia’s presidential duties after Aleksandar Vučić resigned, beginning a temporary transfer of power under the country’s constitutional succession process. Brnabić, the speaker of the National Assembly, is serving as acting president until a new president is elected; she was not directly elected to the office. Vučić submitted his written resignation on September 27, and the National Assembly’s receipt of the document ended his presidential term, according to the accounts of the procedure. Brnabić took over the duties the following day. At a handover ceremony in Belgrade, she said it was an honour to receive the office and that she would serve until Serbia elects its next president. The constitution requires a presidential election within three months of the vacancy, and the election date had not been set in the reporting. The temporary arrangement gives Brnabić presidential responsibilities while the election process proceeds. Parliamentary guidance cited in the reports says the acting president can represent Serbia, receive diplomatic credentials, call National Assembly elections, propose a candidate for prime minister and perform defence duties.