Serbia's populist President Vucic says he will resign within weeks as election nears

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia 's populist President Aleksandar Vucic said Saturday he will resign his post within weeks, paving the way for early elections following youth-led protests that shook his tight grip on power.

Vucic did not specify exactly when he would resign or when an election, either for Parliament or for a new president, could be held. He has said in the past that he could leave the post amid speculation that he would try to switch to the formally more powerful position of prime minister of the Balkan country.

Vucic, who is currently serving his second term, cannot run again for president, according to Serbia's election law. Both regular presidential and parliamentary elections are due next year.

“I will be president for several weeks more and then I will submit my resignation,” Vucic told thousands of his supporters in downtown Belgrade. He said he will help his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party at upcoming elections.

“We will win more convincingly than ever before,” he said, telling the crowd that this was probably the last time he addresses them as Serbia's president.

University students behind more than a year of protests against Vucic's increasingly autocratic rule in Serbia have been demanding early parliamentary elections for over a year but Vucic so far has refrained from setting the date.

Vucic has gradually tightened his grip on power since his populist party took over the Serbian government 14 years ago. A train station accident in the country's north in November 2024 triggered monthslong mass protests demanding accountability for the tragedy that killed 16 people.

Vucic has pushed back hard against the protesters, and has also faced European Union criticism over Serbia's democratic backsliding, including a media clampdown. Hundreds of people have been detained and Serbia's police was accused of excessive force and arbitrary arrests.

Anti-government protesters have blamed the fall of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station on alleged corruption-fueled negligence in big state infrastructure projects.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic waves a Serbian flag during a rally of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, June 27, 2026, where he announced that he will resign in the coming weeks. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic attend a rally of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic addresses a rally of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic addresses a rally of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, June 27, 2026, where he announced that he will resign in the coming weeks. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Malik Reneau scored 16 points, Shelton Henderson added 14 and No. 17 Miami beat North Florida 89-51 on Monday night.

Caleb Gaskins finished with 12 points while Robert Miller III and Somto Cyril each had 10 points and eight rebounds for the Hurricanes, who have won two straight after a season-opening loss against top ranked Florida. Miller also blocked four shots.

Reneau shot 7 of 10 from the field in 18 minutes. It was Reneau’s second consecutive double-digit scoring game following his five-point performance against the Gators.

Although they shot 5 of 27 from 3-point range, the Hurricanes outscored the Ospreys (1-2), 64-26 in the paint.

The Hurricanes forced 17 turnovers, continuing an early0season defensive trend — they've forced at least 15 turnovers in each of their first three games.

Cyril’s two free throws with 9:07 remaining in the first half put the Hurricanes ahead 27-17 for their first double digit lead.

Miller’s dunk 1:16 before the break stretched the lead to 44-23. Brent Bland’s short jumper midway through the half gave the Hurricanes their first 30-point lead at 70-40.

Eddie Placer scored 12 points and BJ Plummer finished with 10 for the Ospreys, who lost their second straight against a top-25 opponent following their 114-63 loss at No. 9 UCLA on Friday.

Miami leads the all-time series 10-0.

North Florida: Hosts The Citadel on Saturday.

Miami: Hosts North Alabama on Friday.

Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full men’s basketball coverage here

Miami forward Caleb Gaskins (11) drives past North Florida guard BJ Plummer (1) as forward Isaiah Brown (8) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, in Coral Gables, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami guard Dante Allen drives forward pursued by North Florida guards Eddie Placer, right, and BJ Plummer (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, in Coral Gables, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami forward Malik Reneau (5) jumps past North Florida guard JR Bartelus to shoot during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, in Coral Gables, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami forward Shelton Henderson (7) shoots over North Florida guard Eddie Placer and forward Isaiah Brown during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, in Coral Gables, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)