Belgrade – On the evening of November 3, 2026, the presidency of the Serbia Centre (SRCE) party formally announced the resignation of its leader, Zdravko Ponoš. In a statement released to the media, the party’s governing body confirmed that it had accepted the resignation and outlined a transitional plan that will see the presidency and the executive board jointly steer the organization until an elective assembly is convened within the next six months.

The resignation comes at a moment when SRCE is positioning itself as a non‑parliamentary force dedicated to advancing Serbia’s European integration. In the same statement, the presidency highlighted what it described as “the fall of Aleksandar Vučić’s regime and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) as the most important breakthrough for normalising the country’s political environment.” The party framed this development as a prerequisite for the next step toward realizing the ideal of a European Serbia, a goal it says has guided its formation three years ago.

SRCE reaffirmed its commitment to the core values of the European Union, stating that these principles will remain non‑negotiable. The party pledged to continue advocating for the acceleration of EU accession talks and ultimately for Serbia’s full membership in the bloc. While it will remain outside the parliamentary opposition, SRCE emphasized that it will support any government willing to “do everything within its power to unblock the EU integration process,” which it characterises as the only credible path to “heal a society scarred by the long‑standing rule of Vučić, the SNS and its coalition partner SPS.”

The leadership transition does not appear to signal a crisis within SRCE. Earlier in October, the party recorded other high‑profile departures, including Duško Lopandić and the expulsion of Slobodan Petrović, but the current statement did not link Ponoš’s resignation to these events. No detailed reasons for Ponoš’s decision were provided, and the party did not disclose whether he will retain any advisory role.

Political analysts note that Ponoš’s exit could reflect internal calculations about the party’s strategic positioning ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections, scheduled for later this year. SRCE has so far remained a non‑parliamentary actor, focusing on grassroots mobilisation and policy advocacy rather than contesting seats directly. The party’s claim that it will “not be opposition but a support for the implementation of such policy” suggests a willingness to collaborate with any future governing coalition that aligns with its pro‑EU agenda.

Observers will watch closely how SRCE’s interim leadership manages the preparatory work for the upcoming elective assembly, especially regarding candidate selection and potential alliances. The party’s ability to maintain cohesion after the resignation of its founding president will be a key factor in determining its influence on Serbia’s political landscape as the country navigates the complex process of European integration.

For now, SRCE’s statement underscores a clear message: despite leadership changes, the party remains steadfast in its pursuit of democratic reforms, institutional building, and a future within the European Union.

Sources (learn more):

n1info.rs — https://n1info.rs/vesti/predsednistvo-stranke-srce-konstatovalo-ostavku-zdravka-ponosa/