Serbia's political landscape remains in flux after the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, with President Aleksandar Vucic announcing that the search for a successor is underway. Vucic, in a statement on March 23, revealed that the process is still in its early stages, with three or four potential candidates under consideration for the role.

Vucic emphasised that consultations would be held only with parties showing "genuine interest," seeking to avoid what he described as a "circus" surrounding the selection process. As the deadline for appointing a new prime minister looms, speculation has intensified over who will be tapped for the crucial position.

Among the leading contenders for the post are familiar figures within the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). Former prime minister Ana Brnabic, who served from 2017 to 2024, is a top name in the mix. Brnabic, now speaker in the National Assembly, had been a favourite to retain the position even after the December 2023 parliamentary elections. However, Vucic had expressed doubts about her continued leadership.

Also mentioned as potential candidates are Finance Minister Sinisa Mali, a close ally of Vucic, and Nebojsa Covic, a prominent political figure within the SNS. Marko Duric, the foreign minister, and Ivica Dacic, the current first deputy prime minister, have also been discussed as possibilities for the role.

In addition to party-affiliated figures, there is speculation that the next prime minister could come from outside the political arena, with the SNS potentially considering an expert or non-partisan individual backed by the ruling coalition.

Some reports point to potential candidates from the Serbian diaspora, with several names emerging from the United States. Among them, Branko Milanovic, an internationally recognised economist, has been mentioned by the newspaper Danas as a potential candidate. Milanovic, formerly a senior economist at the World Bank, has gained global renown for his research on inequality.

Other diaspora figures include Desko Nikitovic, a former consul general of Serbia in Chicago, who has long worked to strengthen Serbia’s ties with the US, and Ivan Trifunovic, a well-established figure in the global pharmaceutical industry. While Milanovic’s scholarly achievements have earned him respect in international circles, Nikitovic, who is actively engaged with the Serbian diaspora, is seen as having the strongest chances among the trio.

Nikitovic, born in Serbia and raised in Chicago, has been involved in Serbia’s diplomatic efforts and is now the executive president of East Point Metals Ltd., a company specialising in metal trading. His past work advocating for Serbia’s democratic processes, particularly during the Yugoslav conflicts of the 1990s, has cemented his standing in Serbia’s political sphere.

The search for a new prime minister comes amid growing political unrest in Serbia, sparked by the tragic collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad in November 2024, which resulted in the deaths of 16 people. The incident has fuelled protests demanding accountability for government mismanagement and an end to corruption.

Despite efforts to calm public outrage, including Vucevic’s resignation and several arrests related to the disaster, protests have continued to intensify. On March 19, Vucevic formally stepped down, paving the way for a potential reshuffle. Vucic has set a deadline of April 18 to appoint a new prime minister. If no appointment is made by that date, he has suggested that snap parliamentary elections could be held on June 8.

The protests, which culminated in a massive demonstration on March 15, have underscored the deep public discontent with the government. However, opposition parties have struggled to unify, leaving Vucic in a strong position to call early elections despite the risk of losing his parliamentary majority. 

Opposition leaders have proposed the formation of a transitional government, led by a non-partisan prime minister, to bridge the gap until new elections. However, this proposal has failed to gain significant traction, with divisions within the opposition over the best way forward.