Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said he would resign within weeks and announced early presidential and parliamentary elections, Reuters reports.
According to Vučić, he will remain president for “a couple more weeks” before stepping down. He did not name exact dates for his resignation or the elections.
The statement came after a year and a half of anti-corruption protests that began after the collapse of a canopy at the railway station in Novi Sad. Sixteen people were killed in the tragedy.
Protesters, the opposition and human-rights organizations say the collapse was the result of corruption and mismanagement of state construction projects. The student movement had earlier demanded early parliamentary elections.
Vučić also said he would help his Serbian Progressive Party win the upcoming elections.
His second and final presidential term was due to end in mid-2027.
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