Government

Serbia's Vucic Resigns; Pork Tariff Fight Splits Traders

Serbia's president resigns to run for prime minister after two years of protests, while Philippine hog raisers and meat importers clash over a proposed pork tariff increase and the central bank reports consumers and firms are less pessimistic.

By the MMI Government Desk

Serbia's long-serving president, Aleksandar Vucic, announced his resignation on Sunday and said he would run for prime minister in an early parliamentary election set for October 25, ending a standoff with a student-led protest movement that has filled Serbian streets for nearly two years(http://www.afp.com/en/serbias-president-aleksandar-vucic-announces-resignation)(http://theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/27/serbia-president-aleksandar-vucic-resigns-run-prime-minister). In Manila, the Department of Agriculture's proposal to raise tariffs on [imported pork](https://media-meter.com/report-library/sugar-pest-pork-imports-fuel-hikes-weigh-on-ph "Sugar pest pork imports fuel hikes weigh on ph") drew opposing reactions from hog raisers, who say it would let local producers compete, and meat importers, who warn it would push retail prices higher(http://www.manilatimes.net/2026/09/28/business/top-business/tariff-hike-plan-divides-hog-raisers-importers/2433703)(https://business.inquirer.net/613174/da-pushes-for-higher-tariffs-on-pork-imports). The two developments anchored a day of coverage that also included a [central bank survey](https://media-meter.com/report-library/philippine-banks-balance-growth-scams-and-rate-policy "Philippine banks balance growth scams and rate policy") showing Filipino consumers and businesses are still pessimistic but markedly less so than a quarter ago(http://www.manilatimes.net/2026/09/28/business/top-business/businesses-consumers-less-negative-as-war-continues/2433710)(https://business.inquirer.net/613176/ph-consumers-firms-turn-less-gloomy), a dispute between the Philippines and China over a resupply mission in the West Philippine Sea(http://www.manilatimes.net/2026/09/28/news/chinas-interference-in-ayungin-shoal-hit/2433680)(http://balita.mb.com.ph/2026/09/27/stop-fanning-the-flames-china-niresbakan-us-matapos-kondenahin-aksyon-ng-ccg-plan-sa-ayungin-shoal), and the release of Mary Jane Veloso after more than 16 years in detention(http://www.manilatimes.net/2026/09/28/news/homecoming-dinner-of-grilled-tilapia-pakbet-for-mary-jane/2433685).

The resignation in Belgrade was the day's most consequential single event. Vucic, who has been either prime minister or president for the past 12 years, delivered his resignation speech from the presidential palace, telling supporters gathered outside that he had "faithfully served" them and the country(http://straitstimes.com/world/europe/serbias-president-vucic-resigns-ahead-of-october-parliamentary-elections). His second and final five-year term would otherwise have ended in May next year, and Serbia's constitution bars him from a third term(http://theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/27/serbia-president-aleksandar-vucic-resigns-run-prime-minister). By stepping down now, he can lead his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party into the October ballot and, if it forms a government, be appointed prime minister(http://straitstimes.com/world/europe/serbias-president-vucic-resigns-ahead-of-october-parliamentary-elections). The snap election was a central demand of a movement that began after a canopy collapsed at a railway station in Novi Sad in November 2024, killing 16 people, a tragedy widely blamed on corruption(http://www.afp.com/en/serbias-president-aleksandar-vucic-announces-resignation)(http://yahoo.com/news/world/articles/serbias-populist-president-vucic-resigns-182709388.html). What started as calls for a transparent investigation grew into demands for early elections, and at times drew hundreds of thousands of people into the streets(http://www.afp.com/en/serbias-president-aleksandar-vucic-announces-resignation).

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