Serbia’s Vucic resigns, but isn’t going far
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić officially resigned on Sunday, but he’s not trying to go far. Vučić, constitutionally barred from seeking a third presidential term, is now running for prime minister in next month’s snap elections, which could let him extend his 14-year-long grip on power. Vučić and his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) have faced over two years of student-led protests over alleged corruption and democratic backsliding. Student political parties are running their own candidates in the upcoming election, but are not expected to win enough seats to keep Vučić and SNS out of power. Vučić has also faced criticism from the EU over Serbia’s refusal to join in sanctions against Russia, which have complicated the country’s long-running bid to join the European Union. A Vučić victory could leave him with more formal power than before: Serbia’s presidency is largely ceremonial, while the prime minister heads the government.
Switzerland votes against stricter neutrality
Swiss voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to tighten their neutrality laws on Sunday, with 70% voting to keep the rules as they are. The referendum was proposed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) after Switzerland, formally neutral since 1815, announced plans to join EU-led sanctions against Russia. If passed, the ruling would have banned Switzerland from joining any punitive measures against other countries unless called for by the United Nations. Supporters of the plan argued that Switzerland had become too close to the EU and NATO, compromising its neutrality and threatening national security. Opponents, meanwhile, argued tightening its neutrality laws would limit the country’s ability to cooperate with NATO in the event of an attack.
Terror plot foiled at UK airbase
A farmer driving home from a party after midnight spots a group of men in balaclavas scurrying away from three vans blocking a road near an airbase in rural England. She calls the police. Five men, all British nationals, are later arrested on suspicion of plotting a terror attack at the RAF Fairford facility, which is used by the US military for bombing missions in Iran. The geopolitical thriller plot that unfolded this weekend continues to thicken: the US and UK say they had been surveilling the men previously, even though it appears the attack was thwarted only by a chance encounter. Both governments are probing ties to Iran, which earlier this year threatened consequences for the UK if London allowed US warplanes to use the base. Tehran, for its part, denies involvement. On Monday, the UK released the men on bail, with restrictions on their movement, while the investigation continues.
