European Security — 2026-09-30

Serbia President Vucic Pardons Novi Sad 12 Political Activists as Final Act Before Resignation

BLUFVucic will likely formalize his resignation before the October 25 election, using presidential pardon power to neutralize opposition grievances while repositioning for the premiership.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in a Belgrade speech on Sunday that he pardoned 49 people before submitting his resignation, including 12 Novi Sad activists on trial over alleged acts against the constitutional order 12. Vreme reported that he also pardoned 11 people who took part in incidents against protesters, whom he did not identify 3. Vucic called the pardons an "act of mercy" and said he acted despite security service advice 1. Exiled activist Doroteja Antic told BIRN that the 12 did not seek a pardon and that she will stay abroad at least until the October 25 election 1. IBTimes UK reported that Vucic is running for prime minister and that Ana Brnabic will serve as acting president 2.

Analysis
Vucic's resignation is likely to be formally submitted before the October 25 election, and the pardons show him clearing legal and political ground for a campaign. Balkan Insight, Vreme and IBTimes UK independently agree on the core facts, though only IBTimes UK covers campaign and succession, so confidence is high. The move from announced intent to executed pardons and a delivered speech, after the missed August window, leaves little room for reversal. Pardoning both 12 activists and 11 pro-government participants hands the opposition a selective-mercy charge. Resigning may instead shed responsibility for election-night events, making the pardons positioning rather than softer treatment of dissent. If the resignation is submitted, EU and regional diplomats must plan around Brnabic as acting president and a presidential vote within 90 days. If it stalls, Vucic keeps presidential powers through the campaign, and monitors should log an abuse-of-office risk.

3 sources

Serbia's Vucic Pardons 'Novi Sad 12' as 'Act of Mercy' Before Resigning - Balkan Insight
Serbia's Vučić Pardons 49 Before Resigning To Fight October Election as PM Candidate - IBTimes UK
"Presidential mercy": Which eleven of "his" did Vučić pardon? - Vreme