Serbia's Vucic Resigns Presidency, Eyes Prime Minister Role After Snap Vote

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced his resignation on Sunday, cutting short his second and final five-year term by seven months and opening the way for an early presidential election.

The move comes in the middle of campaigning for a snap parliamentary vote on October 25 and would allow Vucic to take the post of prime minister if his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) succeeds in forming the next government.

Addressing a crowd of supporters gathered outside the Presidency building in central Belgrade, Vucic described the moment as his last evening in the office. "I have faithfully served you and my fatherland, Serbia," he said, adding that he was proud of what had been achieved together.

Under the Serbian constitution, outgoing parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic will serve as interim president until a new head of state is elected. The presidential election must be completed within 90 days, with the campaign running between 30 and 60 days.

Vucic said the first round of the presidential vote would take place by the end of December. He had signalled earlier in the summer that he intended to step down from the presidency.

The parliamentary election next month will see the SNS and its allies compete against Students Win, a student-led anti-corruption movement, and European Serbia, an alliance of pro-Western opposition parties. Those groups and other parties have yet to name their presidential candidates.