Early parliamentary elections most probably on March 16 - Government to propose dissolution of the Parliament

The leadership of Serbia's dominant Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) agreed on Sunday to seek an early parliamentary election, aiming to capitalize on a surge in popularity to cement its grip on power and push through economic reforms. After a meeting in Belgrade, SNS leader and Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic told reporters the party's presidency had endorsed his proposal, adding that elections would probably take place on March 16.

- Our bid is based on the fact that Serbia could do faster, more and better and that changes cannot wait - he said.

Elections on March 16 would be the “best possible solution to win new political legitimacy and lead Serbia forward, soothing political tensions in the society,” Dacic said today after agreeing to the Progressives’ demand for snap vote March 16.

The SNS, the largest party in the ruling coalition, wants an even stronger mandate to help speed up reforms it says are essential to Serbia's recovery from a decade of war and isolation in the 1990s.

The Balkan country must also speed up reforms to make a precautionary loan deal with the International Monetary Fund in talks set to begin on February 26.

The SNS is riding high in opinion polls, mainly due to Vucic's popularity and an anti-graft campaign he has been waging. An SNS election victory would almost certainly see him as prime minister and could force the Socialists of Prime Minister Ivica Dacic into opposition.

The state-run RTS TV reported that Dacic is expected to convene his cabinet on Monday and propose to the president he dismiss government and schedule elections for March 16, to coincide with the municipal vote in the capital Belgrade.

On Saturday, Dacic said the election should not be an obstacle for Serbia's bid to join the European Union. "Serbia's strategy is based on reforms, better living standards for its people and EU membership," he said in a statement.

The EU opened accession talks with Serbia on Jan. 21, a process that should help drive change in the largest country to emerge from the former federal Yugoslavia. Serbia is unlikely to join before 2020.

Vlada Republike Srbije

Srpska Napredna stranka - SNS

Socijalistička partija Srbije - SPS

Međunarodni monetarni fond - MMF Beograd

Ekonomski Institut a.d. Beograd

Savez samostalnih sindikata Srbije

BBA - Beogradska Bankarska Akademija

Unija poslodavaca Srbije

Aleksandar Vucic

Ivica Dacic

elections

parliamentary elections

early parliamentary elections

negotiations with the European Union