Serbia's Openly Gay Ex-PM Ana Brnabić Became Acting President on Her 51st Birthday, but Only for Now

Ana Brnabić assumed Serbia's presidential duties on her 51st birthday after Aleksandar Vučić resigned, becoming acting head of state for up to three months during an election period. She was not elected president and may perform the duties for no more than three months.

Vučić resigned on 27 September, months before the scheduled end of his second term, and Brnabić assumed the presidential duties the following day under Serbia's constitutional succession rules. As Speaker of the National Assembly, she replaced him because the office became vacant before the end of a presidential mandate.

The appointment creates an unusual reversal in Serbian politics, with Brnabić temporarily carrying out duties once held by Vučić while he heads an electoral list in the 25 October parliamentary election and seeks a possible return as prime minister.

Vučić handed Brnabić the presidential seal and official documents at a ceremony in Belgrade on 28 September. He also presented her with a bouquet of pink roses to mark her birthday, according to the Government of Serbia.

Why Ana Brnabić Is Performing Presidential Duties

Serbia's constitution requires the Speaker of the National Assembly to replace the president when the office falls vacant before the end of a term. The arrangement is temporary, with Article 120 setting a maximum of three months and requiring a presidential election within that period.

Brnabić is acting head of state through constitutional succession, not as the result of a direct presidential election. She said it was 'an honour' to accept the duty and that she would hold the role until Serbia's next president was elected.

The date of the presidential election has not yet been set. The National Assembly's guidance on the Speaker's authority states that the election must be called in time for voting to take place within three months of the vacancy.

While replacing the president, Brnabić can represent Serbia at home and abroad, receive foreign diplomats' credentials, call National Assembly elections, propose a candidate for prime minister and perform defence duties, including commanding the armed forces. The powers are outlined by the National Assembly.

Vučić Resignation Sets Serbia's Election Timetable

Vučić said he chose to resign because he wanted to participate in the parliamentary election as an ordinary citizen. 'I am grateful to the citizens who placed their trust in me twice,' he said, adding: 'Today is the day I am submitting my resignation.'

He is leading the 'Aleksandar Vučić, United Serbia' list in the 25 October parliamentary election and is seeking to return as prime minister. Any new government, however, would still need to be formed through Serbia's parliament.

Brnabić was Serbia's prime minister from 2017 to 2024 and became Speaker of the National Assembly in March 2024. Serbian media have described her as the first person in the country to have served as prime minister, parliamentary speaker and acting head of state.

The 28 September ceremony marked the formal transfer of presidential duties following Vučić's resignation. Brnabić said receiving the presidential seal was 'a bit ironic' because she had spent her 'whole professional life fighting against the seal'.

Openly Lesbian Leader Takes Interim Role

Brnabić was Serbia's first woman prime minister and its first openly lesbian prime minister when she was appointed in 2017. Her temporary appointment has refocused attention on LGBTQ+ legal rights, as same-sex partnerships are not legally recognised in Serbia and same-sex couples do not have equal adoption rights.

Recent reporting has described Brnabić as the first openly lesbian person to serve as Serbia's acting president. She assumed the duties through the constitutional succession mechanism, rather than a direct presidential election.

After becoming prime minister in 2017, Brnabić said she did not want to be defined solely as Serbia's gay prime minister and said LGBT legal reforms were not then an immediate priority. Some LGBT rights activists have criticised aspects of her record, including the absence of broader legal recognition for same-sex couples.

Brnabić became the first Serbian prime minister to attend Belgrade Pride in 2017. She said at the event: 'The government is here for all citizens and will secure the respect of rights for all citizens.'