Serbian Parliament to Convene on November 17 as Presidential Election Announcement Expected

The session will have six items on its agenda, including the verification of MPs' mandates, the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers of Parliament, the appointment of the Secretary-General, and the election of members of parliamentary committees and permanent delegations to international institutions.

After the Republic Electoral Commission (RIK) published its final report on the results of the snap parliamentary elections on November 5, followed a day later by its decision on the allocation of seats and a report on the conduct of the elections, the Speaker of the National Assembly scheduled the first sitting of Serbia's 15th parliamentary term for November 17.

"I believe that Parliament will continue to be a place for serious debate and responsible decision-making, where all issues can be discussed openly, differing views can be challenged through arguments, and we can strive to maintain a culture of dialogue despite our political differences. It is particularly important to continue the established practice of broadcasting parliamentary sessions live, allowing citizens to follow the work of Parliament and their elected representatives and ensuring transparency in the work of the National Assembly," said Ana Brnabić, Speaker of the National Assembly and Acting President of Serbia.

Stojan Radenović to Preside Over Inaugural Session Again

Until a new Speaker of Parliament is elected, the session will be chaired by the oldest member of Parliament, renowned mathematician Stojan Radenović, who was elected on the "Aleksandar Vučić – United Serbia" list. Radenović also presided over the inaugural session of the previous, 14th National Assembly.

The "Student List – Students Win" secured 140 seats in Parliament, while the "Aleksandar Vučić – United Serbia" electoral list won 103.

The Albanian Coalition and the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians each secured two seats, while three other lists won one seat each: Rasim Ljajić's "Human", Usame Zukorlić's "Movement for Unity", and "SDA – Guardians of Sandžak".

Incoming MPs from the Student List have said they are ready for the inaugural parliamentary session and are familiar with the agenda and procedures.

Aleksandar Baucal, an MP-elect from the list, said discussions on who will become the next Speaker of Parliament were in their final stages.

Countdown to Formation of New Government Begins

The inaugural session of Parliament will trigger the 90-day deadline for the formation of a new government.

Serbia is also expected to have a new president by December 27, three months after former President Aleksandar Vučić resigned on September 27.

Under the law, at least 30 days must pass between the announcement of presidential elections and election day.

"The Speaker of the National Assembly must be elected at the inaugural session. It is very important to emphasise this because Serbia currently has no President of the Republic, and under the Constitution, the Speaker of Parliament serves as Acting President. The Speaker must call presidential elections, and Ms. Ana Brnabić should have done so as soon as Aleksandar Vučić resigned," said Tanasije Marinković, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Law.

Serbia Expected to Elect New President by Year-End

Marinković explained that the country must now wait for the election of a new Speaker of Parliament, who will then call the presidential election.

The minimum period between the announcement of the election and voting day is 30 days, while the maximum is 60 days.

"We can expect presidential elections to be held by the end of this year. At the same time, the Speaker of the National Assembly, acting as President of the Republic, must initiate the process of forming a new government. This means holding consultations with elected representatives of the electoral lists and entrusting the mandate to form a government to a candidate capable of securing the support of a parliamentary majority," Marinković explained.