Ana Brnabić has become acting president of Serbia

Following Aleksandar Vučić’s resignation, the powers of the Serbian president were temporarily transferred to Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić. She became the first openly lesbian woman to serve as acting president of Serbia, as well as the first person in the country to have held all three of the highest political offices—prime minister, speaker of parliament, and acting president. Vučić handed over the presidential documents and seal to her during an official ceremony in Belgrade.

 

Following Aleksandar Vučić’s resignation, Ana Brnabić became acting president of Serbia. These powers were transferred to her in her capacity as Speaker of the National Assembly—the country’s parliament. Vučić resigned on September 27, 2026. The following day, he officially transferred presidential powers to Brnabić. The ceremony took place at the presidential residence in central Belgrade.

Under the Serbian Constitution, if the president leaves office early, the speaker of parliament temporarily replaces him. That person may serve as head of state for no more than three months. New presidential elections must be held during this time.

Vučić handed the presidential seal to Brnabić

During the handover, Vučić presented Brnabić with documents related to the work of the presidential administration. He showed her financial reports, materials regarding legal disputes, pardon decisions, as well as lists of works of art and gifts received by Serbian presidents. “Here are the financial reports, the report on the work of the presidential administration, on legal disputes, pardon decisions, lists of works of art, gifts, and other curiosities that I, Tomislav Nikolić, and Boris Tadić have received,” Vučić said during the handover.

He then handed Brnabić a red box. “And here’s the most important thing: the seal of the President of the Republic,” said Vučić. In response, Brnabić joked that she had spent her whole life fighting against seals and had now received the most important one of all.

What Brnabić Said

After the ceremony, the new acting president addressed the press. She called taking on the role a great honor and stated that she would serve as head of state until a new president is elected. “It is a great honor for me to receive this position from such a person, and now it is my duty to hold this office until the people elect the next president of Serbia,” said Brnabić. Before speaking to reporters, she also received a bouquet of flowers from Vučić. September 28 was Brnabić’s birthday.

Brnabić has become the first person in Serbia to hold all three of the country’s highest offices

Ana Brnabić has had a career that is unusual for Serbian politics. She first led the country’s government, then became speaker of parliament, and is now serving as acting president. Thus, she became the first person in Serbia to hold the country’s three highest political offices—prime minister, speaker of parliament, and acting president.

Brnabić served as Serbia’s prime minister from 2017 to 2024. In March 2024, she was elected Speaker of the National Assembly. She remained in that position until she assumed the role of acting president. Before entering national politics, she worked in the private sector and for non-governmental organizations. In 2016, Brnabić became Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government.

Brnabić became the first openly lesbian person to hold the position

Ana Brnabić has openly spoken about her sexual orientation. In 2017, she became the first openly lesbian person to serve as Prime Minister of Serbia and the first openly LGBT head of government in the region. She has now become the first openly lesbian woman to serve as acting president of Serbia.

However, it is inaccurate to call her the first woman to serve as Serbia’s president. Before Brnabić, two women had temporarily served as acting president—Nataša Mičić in the early 2000s and Slavica Đukić Dejanović in 2012. Neither of them was elected president in a general election. Therefore, Brnabić has become the third woman to temporarily serve as acting president, but the first openly lesbian woman to hold this position.

Why Vucic Resigned

Aleksandar Vučić resigned after announcing early parliamentary elections. He left the presidency on September 27, cutting his second presidential term short by about seven months. One reason for this move is his intention to participate in the country’s future political life in a different role. Vučić cannot run for a third presidential term, as the Serbian Constitution limits a person to serving as president no more than twice.

Following his resignation, he may run for the office of prime minister following the results of early parliamentary elections. The vote is scheduled for October 25, 2026. The presidential election, however, is to be held separately. Under Serbian law, the election for a new president must take place no later than three months after Vučić’s term ends. According to BBC News Serbian, the deadline is December 27.

What Brnabić Can Do Now

As acting president, Brnabić is temporarily exercising the powers of the head of state. The Serbian Constitution stipulates that the speaker of parliament may serve as acting president for no more than three months. She must also call a presidential election, which must take place within that timeframe. The interim president’s powers include representing Serbia domestically and abroad, accepting the credentials of diplomats, calling elections, and exercising a range of powers in the area of defense. The Law on the President also stipulates that the person temporarily performing the president’s duties may command the Serbian army.

In other words, Brnabić did not become president as a result of the election. She is temporarily exercising presidential powers in accordance with constitutional procedure until a new head of state is elected. Once the transitional period ends, Serbia must hold presidential elections. At the same time, the country is preparing for early parliamentary elections on October 25, according to Danas.

According to France 24, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić resigned from his post as head of state on Sunday, September 27. This occurred on the eve of the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 25 and opens the door for him to run for the office of prime minister.