Born inBelgrade, Vučić graduated as a lawyer from theFaculty of Law ofUniversity of Belgrade. Vučić began his political career in 1993, as a member of thefar-rightSerbian Radical Party (SRS) in theNational Assembly of Serbia. In 1995, he became the secretary-general of SRS. He was appointedminister of information in 1998 in the government ofMirko Marjanović. During his tenure as minister, which lasted until theoverthrow of Slobodan Milošević in 2000, Vučić introduced restrictive measures against journalists and banned foreign TV networks.[3][4] After 2000, he was one of the most prominent figures in the Serbian opposition. Together withTomislav Nikolić, Vučić left SRS and co-founded SNS in 2008, initially serving as its deputy president. SNS became the largest party in the2012 election and SNS soon formed a government with theSocialist Party of Serbia. Vučić was appointed first deputy prime minister and elected president of SNS.
Despite not being prime minister, Vučić held the most influence and power due to being the leader of the largest party in the government.[5][6][7] He was one of the crucial figures incooperation and European Union (EU)-mediateddialogue between the governments ofKosovo and Serbia, advocating the implementation of theBrussels Agreement on the normalization of their relations. Vučić became prime minister in2014, leading to the establishment of adominant-party system.[8][9][10] He continued theaccession process to the EU byprivatizing state businesses andliberalizing the economy.[11] EU opened firstchapters during the accession conference with the Serbian delegation led by Vučić in 2015. In2017, Vučić was elected president of Serbia. He was re-elected in2022.
During his tenure as president, Vučić initiatedOpen Balkan, an economic zone of Balkan countries intended to guarantee "four freedoms", and signed anagreement in September 2020 to normalize economic relations with Kosovo. Apopulist politician, Vučić supports the accession of Serbia to the EU and also wants to retain good relations with Russia and China. Critics have described Vučić's rule as anauthoritarian,autocratic orilliberal democratic regime, citingcurtailed press freedom and a decline incivil liberties.[12][13][14][15] Those who view the results of Vučić's administration affirmatively highlight economic growth and the pursuit of pragmatic and balanced policies.[16]
Early life and education
Vučić was born on 5 March 1970[17] inBelgrade to Anđelko Vučić and Angelina Milovanov. He has a younger brother,Andrej.[18]
His paternal ancestors came from Čipuljić, nearBugojno, inCentral Bosnia. They were expelled by theCroatian fascists (Ustaše) duringWorld War II and settled near Belgrade, where his father was born.[19] According to Vučić, his paternal grandfather Anđelko and tens of other close relatives werekilled by the Ustaše.[20] His mother was born inBečej inVojvodina.[19] Both of his parents were economics graduates. His father worked as an economist, and his mother as a journalist.[19]
In March 1998, Vučić was appointedMinister of Information in the government ofMirko Marjanović.[29] Scholars described Vučić as the crucial figure in the shaping of turn-of-the century media policies in Serbia.[30] Following rising resentment againstMilošević, Vučić introduced fines for journalists who criticized the government and banned foreign TV networks.[31] He recalled in 2014 that he was wrong and had changed, stating "I was not ashamed to confess all my political mistakes".[32]
During this period, Serbian media was accused for broadcasting Serbian nationalistpropaganda, which demonized ethnic minorities and legitimized Serb atrocities against them.[33] In 1998, the government adopted Europe's most restrictive media law by the end of the 20th century, which created a special misdemeanor court to try violations. It had the ability to impose heavy fines and to confiscate property if they were not immediately paid.[34][30] Serbian media were under severe repression of the state, and that foreign media had been seen as "foreign elements" and "spies".[30]Human Rights Watch reported that five independent newspaper editors were charged with disseminating misinformation because they referred toAlbanians who had died in Kosovo as "people" rather than "terrorists".[35] The government crackdown on independent media intensified whenNATO forces were threatening intervention in Kosovo in late September and early October 1998. The government also maintained direct control of state radio and television, which provided news for the majority of the population.[35] After theNATO bombing of Yugoslavia began in March 1999, Vučić called for a meeting of all Belgrade's editors. Print media were ordered to submit all copies to the Ministry for approval and they were allowed to publish only official statements and information taken from media outlets, which either are controlled by the state or practice radical self-censorship.[30] Vučić also ordered all NATO countries journalists to leave the country.[30]
Tomislav Nikolić, deputy leader of the Radical Party and de facto interim leader due to absence ofVojislav Šešelj, resigned on 6 September 2008 because of disagreement with Šešelj over the party's support for Serbia's EU membership. With some other well-known Radical Party members he formed a new parliamentary club called "Napred Srbijo!" (Forward Serbia!). On 12 September 2008, Nikolić and his group were officially ejected from the Radical Party on the session of SRS leadership. Vučić, as secretary-general was called to attend this session, but he did not appear. Tomislav Nikolić announced he would form his own party and called Vučić to join. Vučić, one of the most popular figures among SRS supporters, resigned from Radical Party on 14 September 2008.[36] The next day, Vučić announced his temporary withdrawal from politics.[37]
Vučić and U.S. secretary of defenseLeon Panetta in Washington, D.C. in 2012
On 6 October 2008, Vučić confirmed in a TV interview that he was to join the newly formed Nikolić'sSerbian Progressive Party (SNS) and that he would be the Deputy President of the party. He then seemed to change his positions. In 2010 he made statements such as a "horrible crime was committed in Srebrenica", saying he felt "ashamed" of the Serbs who did it. "I do not hide that I have changed... I am proud of that." he told AFP in an interview in 2012. "I was wrong, I thought I was doing the best for my country, but I saw the results and we failed, We need to admit that."[38]
Minister of Defence and First Deputy Prime Minister (2012–2014)
Vučić briefly served asminister of defence and first deputy prime minister from July 2012 to August 2013, when he stepped down from his position of defence minister in acabinet reshuffle. Although the prime minister,Ivica Dačić Deba, held formal power as head of government, many analysts thought that Vučić had the most influence in government as head of the largest party in the governing coalition and parliament.[31]
As a result of the 2014 parliamentary election, Vučić's Serbian Progressive Party won 158 out of 250 seats in Parliament and formed a ruling coalition with theSocialist Party of Serbia. Vučić was elected Prime Minister of Serbia.
At a party conference of his ruling Serbian Progressive Party, Vučić announced early general elections, citing that: 'He wants to ensure that the country has stable rule that its current political direction will continue – including its attempt to secure membership of the EU.'[39]On 4 March 2016, Serbian president, Tomislav Nikolić, dissolved the parliament, scheduling early elections for 24 April.[40] The ruling coalition around Vučić's SNS obtained 48.25% of the vote.[41][42]Vučić's ruling SNS retained majority in the parliament, despite winning less seats than in 2014 parliamentary election. The coalition around SNS won 131 seats, 98 of which belong to SNS.[43]
Prime minister Aleksandar Vučić with Prime Minister of India,Narendra Modi
Vučić announced his candidacy in the presidential election on 14 February 2017, despite earlier statements that he would not run.[44] According to theConstitution, Serbia is aparliamentary republic in which thepresidency is largely ceremonial with no significant executive power.[45]
After initial speculations that the incumbent president, Tomislav Nikolić, would also run, he backed Vučić and his ruling SNS party. Vučić won the election in the first round, having obtained 56.01 percent of the vote. The independent candidate,Saša Janković was second with 16.63 percent, ahead of satirical politicianLuka Maksimović and former minister of foreign affairsVuk Jeremić.[46]
A public opinion survey, carried out byCeSID, showed that significant proportions of Vučić supporters are composed ofpensioners (41%) and that a large majority of them (63%) hold secondary education degrees, while 21% don't even have a high school degree.[47]
President (2017–present)
Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and Idit Ohel, the mother of the abductee to Gaza, Alon Ohel. September 2024
The election result sparkedprotests around Serbia. Thousands of protesters accused Vučić of leading the country towards authoritarianism. Protesters organized the rallies through social media, insisted that they are not linked to any party or politician, and demanded a total overhaul of what they call "corrupt political, business and media systems that serve an elite led by Mr Vučić".[48] Vučić said that the protests were organized by his political opponents who, he said, expected "the dictator would bring the police into the streets."[49]
Vučić was sworn in as President of Serbia on 31 May, in front ofParliament.[50] He promised to continue with reforms and said Serbia will remain on a European path. Vučić also said Serbia will maintain military neutrality and continue to build partnerships with bothNATO and Russia.[51]
After becoming president, Vučić disbanded the traditional police security service responsible for president's protection, and replaced it with members of theCobras, military police unit which contrary to the law, protected him while he served as the prime minister from 2014 to 2017.[52]
During late 2018 and early 2019, thousands of Serbstook to the streets to protest the presidency of Vučić. The protesters accused Vučić and the SNS of corruption and stated that Vučić is trying to cement himself as an autocrat, which he denied.[53][54] In 2019,Freedom House's report downgraded Serbia'sstatus fromFree toPartly Free due to the deterioration in the conduct of elections, continued attempts by the government and allied media outlets to undermine independent journalists through legal harassment and smear campaigns, and Vučić's accumulation of executive powers that conflict with his constitutional role.[55]
After Vučić's announcement of the reintroduction oflockdown in July 2020 due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, thousands of peopleprotested, accusing the government of missteps in handling of the pandemic, including the premature lifting of restrictions and downplaying the risk to hold theelections.[56][57] Some analysts said that they had not witnessedpolice brutality which occurred during the protest since the Slobodan Milošević's regime.[56]
According toAmnesty International's annual report for 2021, Vučić's mandate is characterized by human rights violations, restrictions on freedom of expression and campaigns of harassment against the opposition figures, journalists and media outlets.[58]
Vučić participated in the2022 general election as the presidential candidate of the Serbian Progressive Party. He won 58% of the popular vote in the first round, and secured his second mandate as president of Serbia.[59] Vučić announced the formation of thePeople's Movement for the State in March 2023.[60]
On 1 November 2024, the concretecanopy of themain railway station in Novi Sadcollapsed onto the busy pavement below, killing 15 people.[62] The collapse spawned a series ofmass protests in Novi Sad, which then spread throughout Serbia,[63] fueled by dissatisfaction with other issues including government corruption and media censorship.[64][65] Vučić dismissed the protesters as "terrorists".[66]
After his election as prime minister in 2014, Vučić promoted austerity-based economic policies, whose aim was to reduce Serbia's budget deficit. Vučić's policy of fiscal consolidation was primarily aimed at cuts in the public sector. One of the measures was the reduction of pensions and salaries in the public sector as well as a ban on further employment in the public sector.[67] On 23 February 2015, Vučić's government has concluded a three-year stand-by arrangement with theIMF worth €1.2 billion as a precautionary measure to secure the country's long term fiscal stability.[68] The IMF has praised the reforms as has the EU[69][70] calling them one of the most successful programmes the IMF has ever had. The GDP of Serbia has surpassed the pre crisis of 2008 levels as have the salaries.[71] The economic prospects are good with GDP growth rising above 3% and the debt to GDP ratio falling below 68%[72][69]
Vučić has pledged to tackle corruption andorganized crime in Serbia.[73] He also vowed to investigate controversialprivatizations and ties betweentycoons and former government members.[31][74]
Vučić with Azerbaijani leaderIlham Aliyev, on 21 December 2022
On the other hand, data from theTransparency International showed that a significant increase in perceived corruption was seen exactly from 2012, when Vučić came into power.[75] According to research conducted by theCentre for Investigative Journalism, the battle against corruption in practice comes down to media announcements and arrests in front of cameras. "They are followed by a large number of criminal charges, significantly fewer indictments, and even fewer convictions".[75][76]
In May 2023, theNew York Times published an article by journalist Robert F. Worth which described alleged ties between Vučić and organized crime in Serbia, particularly its leader Veljko Belivuk. It detailed crimes committed by the Belivuk criminal gang and court transcripts in which Belivuk stated he had met Vučić, worked directly under him and provided services such as intimidating political rivals.[77][78] Vučić called the allegations "lies", saying that the article was ordered by theCIA months prior to send him a message and that it was written in Belgrade, accusations which Worth rejected.[79]
Vučić with European Commission Vice-PresidentJosep Borrell, 17 February 2024
During the 2015 – 2016European migrant crisis, Vučić strongly aligned himself with the policies of the German Chancellor,Angela Merkel, and publicly praised German migration policy.[citation needed] Vučić also stated that Serbia will cooperate with the EU in solving the migrant stream going from the Middle East to EU member countries through the Balkan route, and that Serbia will be ready to take some portion of the migrants. "Serbia will receive a certain number of migrants. This makes us more European than some member states. We don't build fences," Vučić wrote on Twitter, while criticizing the migrant policies of some EU member countries.[80]
EU and lithium
During 2021, aseries of mass protests erupted in Serbia against the construction of alithium mine in Western Serbia by theRio Tinto corporation.[81] In January 2022, the Serbian government revoked licences for theJadar project.[82] In January 2024, Vučić stated that the government wants to hold further talks with Rio Tinto and that there should be more public discussion over whether the project should go ahead. If completed, the project could supply 90% of Europe's current lithium needs and help to make Rio Tinto a leading lithium producer.[83]
On 19 July 2024, following EU pressure,[84] Vučić, German ChancellorOlaf Scholz, and European Union energy chiefMaroš Šefčovič met and signed an agreement regarding the European Union's access to "critical raw materials" mined in Serbia, representing a further step towards facilitating the Jadar mining project.[85] The project resulted inrenewed environmental protests in 2024.[86] One week later, Serbian Minister of Mining and EnergyDubravka Đedović signed a memorandum with Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President and "overseer" of theEuropean Green Deal, agreeing on the basis of critical raw materials, battery value chains, andelectric vehicles related to the mining project."[87]
Until the new coalition government was formed in 2012, during the time he served as the secretary general of theSerbian Radical Party, the largest opposition party at the time, as well as during his position of the vice president of then newly formed Serbian Progressive Party, in 2008, Vučić was highly critical towardsKoštunica andCvetković's administrations, and offered a "reversal" of the agreements made byBorko Stefanović and the other officials during the negotiation process. Upon forming the government, Vucic stated that his government "cannot pretend that that [the former administration] was some different state which made the deals".
Vučić was one of the key political figures in the negotiation process on Serbia's bid for EU accession, traveling toBrussels for talks with the EU's Foreign Affairs High Commissioner,Baroness Ashton, as well as toNorth Mitrovica to discuss the details of a political settlement between on behalf of the Government of Serbia and Kosovo administration.[88][89] During his visit toNorth Kosovo, to garner support for the Brussels-brokered deal, he urged Kosovo Serbs to "leave the past and think about the future".[74]
In 2017, Vučić criticized the EU for "hypocrisy and double standards over its very different attitude towardsseparatist crises inKosovo andCatalonia".[90] In September 2018 in a speech to Kosovo Serbs he stated: "Slobodan Milošević was a great Serbian leader, he had the best intentions, but our results were far worse."[91] Journalists[which?] report that Vučić advocates thepartition of Kosovo, in what he refers to as "ethnic demarcation with Albanians".[92][93][94][95]
On 27 May 2019, during a special session of the Serbian parliament on Kosovo, Vučić said: "We need to recognize that we have been defeated... We lost the territory."[96] while also criticizing the 'unprincipled attitude ofgreat powers' and "no one reacting to announcements for the formation of aGreater Albania".[97] He stated that Serbia no longer controlled Kosovo and that a compromise was needed on the issue through a future referendum in the country.[96] Vučić has close links to theSerb List and he invited Kosovo Serbs to vote for them in the elections.[98][99]
On 20 January 2020, Serbia and Kosovo agreed to restore flights between their capitals for the first time in more than two decades.[100][101] The deal came after months of diplomatic talks byRichard Grenell, theUnited States ambassador to Germany, who was named special envoy forSerbia-Kosovo relations by PresidentDonald Trump the year before.[100] Vučić welcomed the flights agreement and tweeted his thanks to American diplomats.[102]
On 4 September 2020 Serbia and Kosovo signed anagreement at theWhite House in Washington D.C., in the presence of US presidentDonald Trump. In addition to the economic agreement, Serbia agreed to move its Israeli embassy toJerusalem fromTel Aviv starting in June 2021 and Israel and Kosovo agreed to mutuallyrecognise each other.[103]
On 10 October 2019, together withEdi Rama,Prime Minister of Albania, andZoran Zaev,Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Vučić signed the so-calledMini Schengen (now known as Open Balkan) deal on regional economic cooperation, including on thefree movement of goods, capital, services, and labor between their three countries, while they await progress on EU enlargement.[104] A month later, the leaders presented a set of proposals to achieve the "four freedoms" and the first steps towards them, including the possibility to theopen border area.[105] In December, the three leaders also met withMilo Đukanović,President of Montenegro, opening the possibility for the country to join the zone.[106] Following the 2020 Kosovo and Serbia economic agreement the two sides pledged to join the Mini Schengen Zone.[107]
During 2015 and 2016, relations between Croatia and Serbia were further affected by to the ongoing migrant crisis, when Croatia decided to close its border with Serbia. In September 2015, Croatia barred all cargo traffic from Serbia,[110] due to the migrant influx coming from Serbia in a move which further eroded the fragile relations between the two countries. In response to these actions, Vučić announced that counter measures will be enacted if an agreement with Croatia is not reached.[111] The dispute was eventually resolved through the mediation of theEU Commission, yet the relations between the two neighboring countries remain fragile.
On 31 March 2016, Vojislav Seselj, leader of the Serbian Radical Party, was acquitted of War Crime charges in the Hague Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia. The verdict has caused controversy in Croatia. Vučić distanced himself from Šešelj and his policy, but stated that the verdict should not be used as a tool for political pressure on Serbia.
On 7 April 2016, Croatia refused to endorse the EU Commission opinion to open Chapter 23, a part of Serbia's EU accession negotiations, thus effectively blocking Serbia' EU integration process. Serbia accused Croatia of obstructing its EU membership, and Vučić said that his government was:"Stunned by Croatia's decision not to support Serbia's European path."[112]Croatia has not agreed for Serbia to open negotiations of Chapter 23. On 14 April 2016, the EU Commission rejected Croatian arguments in its dispute with Serbia.[113]
On 23 May 2023 Vučić accused Croatia of attempting to topple the government in Serbia.[114]
Vučić has maintained traditional good relations between Serbia and Russia, and his government refused to enact sanctions on Russia, following the start of theRusso-Ukrainian war. Vučić has repeatedly announced that Serbia will remain committed to its European integration, but also maintain historic relations with Russia. "We have proven our sincere and friendly attitude to Russia by being one of the European countries that refused to impose sanctions on Russia," Vučić said after meeting with Russian prime ministerDmitry Medvedev. "Serbia will continue pursuing this policy in the future."[115]
During Vučić's mandate, Serbia has continued to expand its economic ties with Russia, especially by increasing Serbian exports to Russia. In early 2016, after a meeting with the Russian deputy prime ministerDmitry Rogozin, Vučić announced the possibility of Serbia boosting its military cooperation with Russia by purchasing Russian missile systems.[116]
In December 2017, Vučić made an official visit to the Russian Federation for the first time as the president of Serbia.[117] He expressed his gratefulness to Russia for protecting Serbian national interests, and stated that: "Serbia will never impose sanctions on the Russian Federation (in relation to theinternational sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War)".[117] During his visit, he focused on strengthening cooperation in the field of military industry and energy.[117]
On 24 February 2024, Croatian foreign ministerGordan Grlić-Radman described Vučić as a Russian "satellite" in the Balkans during an interview onN1, adding that Vucic must decide whether to side with Russia or the European Union "because it is impossible and uncomfortable sitting on two chairs at the same time." Vučić denied the allegation, saying that Grlić-Radman "brutally interferes in the internal affairs of Serbia, but as usual he lies and insults the Serbian people and threatens its citizens." TheSerbian foreign ministry issued a note of protest saying that it expected Croatian officials to "refrain from statements that represent interference in the internal affairs of Serbia and will lead a policy of reconciliation and good-neighborly relations between the two states."[120]
Vučić with Russian PresidentVladimir Putin, on 2 September 2025
On 24 February 2025, Vučić took responsibility and apologised after Serbia voted in favour of aUnited Nations General Assembly resolution calling Russia an aggressor state over its invasion of Ukraine. Vučić attributed Serbia's vote to his being "tired" and having "too many things (to deal with)", adding that Serbia was originally slated to abstain.[121]
On 11 June 2025, Vučić made his first visit to Ukraine since the Russian invasion to attend a summit inOdesa hosted by Ukrainian presidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy. During the visit, Vučić said he supported Ukraine's territorial integrity.[122]
Following theOctober 7 attacks, Vučić condemned the "horrific attacks", adding that "the Jewish people have endured a history of suffering and Israel deserves to live in peace and security".[123] Media reports have suggested Serbia is a majorsupplier of weapons and ammunition to Israel during theGaza war, with at least two major shipments sent during the conflict.[124] Serbia's state-owned arms manufacturer,Yugoimport SDPR, exported €42.3 million worth of arms and ammunition to Israel during 2024, mostly155 mm artillery shells.[125] In September 2024, Israeli PresidentIsaac Herzog visited Sebia, meeting with Vučić in Belgrade.[126]
In June 2025, due to theIran–Israel war, Vučić announced halt on exporting arms to Israel. This came after Iran warned that providing weapons to Israel would be considered an "act of aggression" against Iran.[127]
Vučić andMike Pompeo address reporters before their bilateral meeting in Washington (2020)
In July 2017 Vučić visited the United States and met with U.S. vice presidentMike Pence, where they discussed U.S. support for Serbia's efforts to join the European Union, the need for continued reforms, and further progress in normalizing the relationship with Kosovo.[128] Referencing the proposedland swap arrangement between Serbia and Kosovo, U.S. national security advisorJohn Bolton has said that the United States would not oppose a territorial exchange between Kosovo and Serbia to resolve their long-running dispute. The U.S. State Department continues to maintain that the full normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is "essential for regional stability", which Vučić has said before.[129]
Vučić has sought closer cooperation with China.[130][131] He has met with Chinese presidentXi Jinping in 2016,[132] 2018,[133] and 2019.[134] After meeting with ChineseMinister of Foreign AffairsWang Yi, he secured Chinese help in combating theCOVID-19 pandemic in Serbia through delivery ofPPE andCoronaVac vaccine doses,[135] which has contributed to Serbia leading COVID-19 vaccination rates in Europe.[136][137] In October 2023, he signed a free-trade deal with China.[138] During an interview withChina Global Television Network in February 2024, Vucic said, "Taiwan is China — and it's up to you what, when and how you're going to do it — full stop".[139]
In 2014,Dunja Mijatović,OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, wrote Vučić and made attention with the suppression of the media, which he denied and demanded an apology from OSCE.[140][failed verification] According to the 2015Freedom House report and the 2017Amnesty International report, media outlets and journalists have been pressured after criticizing the government of Vučić.[141][142] Serbian media are also heavily dependent on advertising contracts and government subsidies which make journalists and media outlets exposed to economic pressures, such as payment defaults, termination of contracts and the like.[141] Four popular political talk TV programs were canceled in 2014, including the renowned political talk showUtisak nedelje byOlja Bećković, which had been running for 24 years and was well known for its critical scrutiny of all governments since it began.[141][143] In first report after Vučić took the office,European Commission expressed concerns about deteriorating conditions for the full exercise of freedom of expression.[144] Report said there was a growing trend of self-censorship which combined with undue influence on editorial policies.[144] Reports published in 2016 and 2018 stated that no progress was made to improve conditions for the full exercise of freedom of expression.[145][146] In July 2016, the ruling party organized an exhibition of government-critical press articles and social media posts, labeled as 'lies', saying that they wanted to document wrongful attacks and to prove there is no official censorship.[147][148][149] In 2017, Freedom House reported that Serbia posted one of the largest single-year declines in press freedom among all the countries and territories. Also, they emphasized that Vučić had sought to squeeze critical media out of the market and discredit the few journalists with the funds and fortitude to keep working.[150] Some commentators have described that Vučić built acult of personality, with the significant role of mass media.[151][152][153][154][155][156][157][excessive citations]
Observers described that during the campaign for the2017 presidential election, Vučić had ten times more airtime on national broadcasters than all other candidates combined and mainstream media under Vučić's control have been demonizing most of the opposition presidential candidates, without giving them the opportunity to respond.[158][159] Organizations that observed the elections emphasized that the presence of Vučić in newspaper and the electronic media during the presidential campaign was disproportionate, adding that media have lost their critical role and that they have become a means of political propaganda.[160][161] The OSCE Report explains that general reluctance of media to report critically on or to challenge the governing authorities, significantly reduced the amount of impartial information available to voters.[162] They also mentioned that the government used public resources to support Vučić.[162] Amnesty International andHuman Rights Watch reported harassment and physical assaults on journalists during the presidential inauguration ceremony, after Vučić won the elections.[142][163]
Within five years of President Aleksandar Vučić in effect governing the country, Serbia has become a place where practicing journalism is neither safe nor supported by the state. The number of attacks on media is on the rise, including death threats, and inflammatory rhetoric targeting journalists is increasingly coming from the governing officials.
In 2018,International Research & Exchanges Board described the situation in the media in Serbia as the worst in recent history, and thatMedia Sustainability Index dropped because the most polarized media in almost 20 years, an increase infake news and editorial pressure on media.[166] They also pointed out that the judiciary responds promptly only in cases in which the media allegedly violates the rights of authorities and ruling parties.[166] The increased government control of the media comes as Serbian journalists face more political pressure and intimidation, in 2018the Independent Association of Serbian Journalists recorded the highest number of attacks against journalists in decade.[167] According to Serbian investigative journalism portalCrime and Corruption Reporting Network, more than 700 fake news were published on the front pages of pro-government tabloids during 2018.[168][169] Many of them were about alleged attacks on Vućić and attempts ofcoups, as well as messages of support to him byVladimir Putin.[169] The bestselling newspaper in Serbia is the pro-government tabloidInformer, which most often presents Vučić as a powerful person under constant attack, and also hasanti-European content andpro-war rhetoric.[14][170][171] After Vučić was hospitalized forcardiovascular problems in November 2019, his associates and pro-regime media accused the journalists of worsening the president's health by asking questions about alleged corruption by government ministers.[172][173] TheCouncil of Europe warned that the investigative outlet was target ofsmear campaign from the state after they caught Vučić's son with members of crime groups, while theOrganized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project reported that Vučić "pledges to fight the lies".[174][175] In early November 2021, sevenUS Congressman have accused Vučić of deepening corruption and putting pressure on the media.[176]
Internet surveillance
Since Vučić's party came to power, Serbia has seen a surge ofinternet trolls and pages on social networks praising the government and attacking its critics, free media and the opposition in general.[177] That includes a handful of dedicated employees running fake accounts, but also the Facebook page associated with a Serbian franchise of the far-rightBreitbart News website.[178][177] On 26 March 2020, Twitter announced that they had shut down a network of 8,500spam accounts that worked in concert to write 43 million tweets praising president Vučić and his party, boosting Vučić-aligned content to increase its visibility and popularity, and attacking his political opponents.[179]
Criticism and controversies
Public profile
Vučić at the EPP Congress Madrid (2015)
Some commentators[who?] have compared Vučić to other strongmen in European politics and accused him of being an autocrat.[180][181]
Greater Serbia
Until 2008, Vučić publicly supported theGreater Serbia ideology, which he testified was envisaged as extending to a western border running along theVirovitica–Karlovac–Karlobag line.[182][183] In 1995, during theCroatian War of Independence, Vučić said inGlina (which was at the timecontrolled by Serb rebels) that 'Serbian Krajina' and Glina would never be Croatian,Banovina would never be returned to Croatia, and that ifSerbian Radical Party had won elections, Serbs would have lived in Greater Serbia.[184][185] In another speech from the early 2000s, Vučić calledKarlobag,Ogulin,Karlovac andVirovitica "Serbian towns", stated that "they [SRS' critics] rejoice that Ustaše (referring to Croats) have occupied Serbian lands and want to convince us Serbian radicals that it wasn't Serbian, that we were saying nonsenses. (...) We want what's ours, Serbian."[185] After split from the Serbian Radical Party and creation of theSerbian Progressive Party, Vučić said he no longer supports the Greater Serbia ideology.[186]
On 1 September 2020, Montenegrin PresidentMilo Đukanović accused Vučić andBelgrade-based media of interfering in the internal politics ofMontenegro, as well of allegedly trying to revive a "Greater Serbia policy".[187]
Srebrenica massacre and Ratko Mladić
Vučić attending the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of theSrebrenica massacre, 11 July 2015
Only a few days after more than 8,000 MuslimBosniaks were killed by theArmy of Republika Srpska (VRS) and paramilitary groups from Serbia in theSrebrenica massacre, Vučić said on 20 July 1995 in theNational Assembly in a comment on theNATO bombing campaign against the VRS positions that "for every Serb killed, we will kill 100 Muslims".[188][189][3][190] In 2015, he said that his statement from 1995 was "taken out of context" and "that was not the essence of that sentence."[191]
Before leaving the Radical Party of Vojislav Šešelj, Vučić openly and publicly celebrated and called for the protection ofRatko Mladić, a military officerconvicted of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. In 2007, while Mladić was still at large in Serbia, Vučić distributed posters with the declaration "Safe House for General Mladić". During a parliament session he stated that the Serbian Parliament will always protect and be a safe house for the general and that any house in Serbia that bears the last name of Vučić will protect and shelter Mladić.[192]
In the same year, Vučić organized a street protest during which street signs with the name of the assassinated pro-western Serbian PM were replaced with Ratko Mladić Boulevard street signs.[192] This vandalism has become a frequent activity of Serbian ultra-right groups on the anniversary of theZoran Đinđić assassination.[193]
It was during Vučić's term as the Minister of Information thatSlavko Ćuruvija, a prominent journalist who reported on theKosovo War, was murdered in a state-sponsored assassination.[198][199] In 1999, before the assassination took place, Vučić gave a front page interview to the tabloidArgument in which he stated "I will wreak vengeance upon Slavko Ćuruvija for all the lies published inDnevni telegraf" (Ćuruvija's paper).[200][201][202] In 2014, Vučić apologized to the Ćuruvija family for having waited so long to bring the perpetrators to justice, and thanked everyone who was involved in solving the case for their work.[203]Branka Prpa, Ćuruvija'scommon-law spouse, said Vučić participated in the murder and that he is the creator of the practice of persecution of journalists.[204]
Remarks on journalists
At an SNS gathering inBor on 2 March 2025, Vučić referred to a female reporter from the state broadcasterRTS who covered the2024–present Serbian anti-corruption protests as an "imbecile". Vučić later apologized for the remarks, which were condemned by RTS.[205][206]
At 198 cm (6 ft 6 in) tall, Vučić is one of the tallest world leaders.[207]
On 27 July 1997, Vučić married Ksenija Janković, a journalist at Radio Index andSrpska reč. The couple had two children before divorcing. Janković died on 29 January 2022.[208] At some point Vučić marriedTamara Đukanović, a diplomat with theMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia.[209] On 9 June 2017, a week after Vučić took the presidential office, his wife gave birth to a son.[210]
Apart from Serbian, he is fluent in Russian, English, and German. He learned Russian in a Belgrade high school and every second day of the week took a Russian language course to improve his knowledge.[211]
During the opposition period, he has frequently appeared in popular TV shows.[212] In 2006, Vučić became the winner of the first season of the Serbian version ofThe Pyramid, a talk show with a competitive element broadcast onPink TV.[213] He was the first politician who participated in the humanitarian dance contestPlesom do snova (in 2009) and the first politician to guest-star on alate-night talk showVeče sa Ivanom Ivanovićem (in 2010).[212][214][215] He also was a guest judge in one episode of the third season ofZvezde Granda, the most popular music competition in Balkans.[212][216]
On 15 November 2019, he was hospitalized at a military hospital in Belgrade due to apparent "cardiovascular issues". Three days later it was reported that he was released. Some, including his media advisor and the deputy mayor of Belgrade, have said that his health problems were in part due to pressure from journalists. Vučić explicitly denied this at a media conference shortly after his hospital stay, stating that these health issues were chronic in nature.[217][218]
During July 2020 Vučić became a student at Belgrade's College of Sports and Health, with the goal to become a basketball trainer for juniors after he ends his political career.[219][220] Some Serbian journalists have reported that a mandatory condition for entering the college was active participation in sports for three years, which was removed from the official website shortly after Vučić's enrollment.[221]
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Günay, Cengiz; Džihić, Vedran (October 2016). "Decoding the authoritarian code: exercising 'legitimate' power politics through the ruling parties in Turkey, Macedonia and Serbia".Southeast European and Black Sea Studies.16 (4). Austrian Institute for International Affairs:529–549.doi:10.1080/14683857.2016.1242872.S2CID157397873.
Voltmer, Katrin (2019).Media, Communication and the Struggle for Democratic Change: Case Studies on Contested Transitions. Springer Nature. p. 6.ISBN978-3-030-16747-9.
^"Hungary no longer a democracy, Freedom House says".Politico. 6 May 2020.Archived from the original on 9 May 2020. Retrieved8 May 2020.'Years of ... strongman tactics employed by Aleksandar Vučić in Serbia and Milo Đukanović in Montenegro have tipped those countries over the edge,' it says. 'For the first time since 2003, they are no longer categorized as democracies.'
^abcdeJovanović, Srđan Mladenov (2019). "Confronting Recent History: Media in Serbia during Aleksandar Vučić's Ministry of Information in the Milošević Era (1998–1999 )".Hiperboreea.6 (1):61–74.doi:10.3406/hiper.2019.969.S2CID239302853 – viaPersée (web portal).
^Ristić, Irena (2014). "Parliamentary Elections in Serbia 2014: Replay or Reset?".Contemporary Southeastern Europe.1 (2):80–87.
^P. Ramet, Sabrina; M. Hassenstab, Christine; Listhaug, Ola (2017).Building Democracy in the Yugoslav Successor States: Accomplishments, Setbacks, and Challenges since 1990.Cambridge University Press. p. 174.ISBN9781107180741.
^Gavrilović, Zoran; Mijatović, Marina; Pavlica, Dražen (2017).Mediji, izbori i javnost 2017(PDF). Bureau for Social Research.Archived(PDF) from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved17 December 2018.
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