Ana Brnabić has made history by becoming Serbia and the Balkans’ first openly lesbian president, albeit temporarily. She officially assumed the position following a ceremony in central Belgrade on Monday, September 28.

This comes after former President Aleksandar Vučić resigned on Sunday amid protests against corruption. His departure from the role means that an election will need to take place within the next three months to choose his successor, but until then, Serbian Progressive Party member Brnabić has been selected to hold office.

After the official handover, the 51-year-old said, “It is a great honour for me to receive this position from such a person, and now it is my duty to hold this office until the people elect the next president of Serbia.”

Brnabić previously made history as the country’s first female and openly gay Prime Minister, a role she held from June 2017 until March 2024. After that, she became president of the National Assembly (Serbia’s parliament).

Homosexuality is legal in Serbia, and there are also laws banning anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in employment, housing, education and media. Trans people can change their gender on legal documents, but must receive a psychiatric diagnosis and hormone therapy beforehand.

However, same-sex marriage and adoption are not permitted, and there are no regulations for same-sex parents in general.

When Ana Brnabić became Prime Minister, she said, “Serbia is changing and changing fast, and if you will, I am part of that change, but I do not want to be branded ‘Serbia’s gay PM’.”

She added that she had more pressing priorities than LGBTQ+ legal reforms, explaining, “The reason why I am not focused on that now is because I deeply, truly believe Serbia will be a more tolerant society once people have jobs, better paid jobs, don’t have to care about their own livelihood, or the future of their own children, and do not have to worry about two or three generations living in the same flat.”

Her lack of advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights has been criticised by activists. However, upon becoming the first Serbian Prime Minister to attend a Pride event in Belgrade in 2017, she expressed, “The government is here for all citizens and will secure the respect of rights for all citizens.”