In a move described by political analysts as the start of a permanent election campaign, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić appeared as a guest on the popular British podcast “The Rest Is Politics: Leading,” hosted by Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart.
The interview, released on April 26, 2026, has caused a stir in Serbia, not only for the high-profile nature of the hosts but for Vučić’s open discussion regarding his potential return to the role of Prime Minister.
Testing the Waters for 2027
With his second and final presidential term set to end in May 2027, Vučić confirmed that his party, the SNS, is already deep into data-driven preparations.
“We are doing all the polls, all the focus groups, all the crisis groups… to see if there are other candidates who can defeat the opposition,” Vučić said.
He emphasized his “energy and enthusiasm,” suggesting that if no suitable successor is found to “secure his legacy,” he could lead the SNS parliamentary list as the candidate for Prime Minister in the next general elections.
The Alastair Campbell Factor
The choice of interviewer is particularly symbolic. Alastair Campbell was the communications chief for Tony Blair during the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia.
- The “Milošević Lie Machine”: Campbell recalled in his diary that in 1999, he worked to dismantle the propaganda overseen by Vučić (who was then Milošević’s Information Minister).
- The Meeting: The two met in the library of the presidential palace in Belgrade, seated at a chessboard table. Campbell noted that while Vučić remains “friendly,” his stance on Kosovo has not moved “one millimeter” since the war ended.
Key Points from the Interview
Vučić used the platform to address international and domestic criticisms on several fronts:
| Topic | Vučić’s Stance |
| Media Freedom | Claimed there are more media outlets against him than any other regional leader and blamed “large tycoons” for propaganda. |
| Viktor Orbán | Called the Hungarian leader a “great, world-famous leader” and a close friend, despite past disagreements over the Central European University. |
| Donald Trump | Stated that if he were American, he would vote for Trump, citing the 47th President’s focus on family values and lingering Serbian resentment toward the Clintons. |
| EU vs. USA | Warned that if the EU continues to delay enlargement, the United States might seize the opportunity to build its own sphere of influence in Southeastern Europe. |
Expert Analysis: “Permanent Campaign”
Professor Zoran Stojiljković told Nova that the interview was a strategic “spin” designed for two audiences. Locally, it serves as proof that Vučić is still a relevant global figure who is sought after for interviews. Internationally, it is an attempt to project a “democratic capacity” to a Western audience that has grown increasingly skeptical of his rule.
The interview confirms that while Vučić cannot run for President again, he has no intention of leaving the political center stage, potentially following the “Putin-Medvedev” model of shifting roles to retain power.
