Serbian government sets up snap vote with call to dissolve parliament
Upcoming election viewed as bid to tighten President Vucic's rule after months of mass street protests.
Prime Minister Djuro Macut announced the call in Belgrade on Monday. The move to a snap election is seen as a bid to tighten the rule of President Aleksandar Vucic after nearly two years of anti-government unrest.
Parliamentary elections were not due until December next year, but Vucic on Monday announced plans to hold a vote in late October, with speculation rife that he will seek to move into the role of prime minister.
The early election will test how secure a grip on Serbian politics Vucic still enjoys. The veteran authoritarian leader has run the country as president or prime minister for 12 years.
“Serbia has faced protests, blockades, deep divisions, problems in education and heavy pressure on institutions,” he told ministers. “For some time, parts of the public have been calling for early parliamentary elections,” adding that “a responsible government never ignores such demands.”