Serbia PM calls snap elections

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksander Vucic called in January 2016 a snap election, in a move which was seen as a way of consolidating his leadership. Mr Vucic argued that he needed a fresh mandate to further push for accession talks with the European Union.

Although his Serbian Progressive Party won the last election in 2014 with a landslide, there had been rumours of internal divisions as Mr Vucic tried to carry out economic reforms.

• Primary Source

Deutsche Welle, 17.01.16: Serbian prime minister calls for early elections http://dw.com/p/1Heyg

ESO: Background information: EU to open Serbia talks, as Belgrade warns of instability http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-to-open-serbia-talks-as-belgrade-warns-of-instability/

ESO: Background information: Serbian Parliamentary Election 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/serbian-parliamentary-election-2016/

EurActiv, 18.01.16: Serbian premier calls for snap elections http://www.euractiv.com/sections/enlargement/serbian-premier-calls-snap-elections-321037

Balkan Insight, 17.01.16: Serbia PM Announces Early General Elections http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/serbia-pm-announces-early-general-elections-01-17-2016

Balkan Insight, 17.01.16: Serbian Ruling Party Mulls Early Elections http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/serbian-ruling-party-debating-early-elections-01-15-2016

Politico, 17.01.16: Serbia’s PM calls snap elections http://www.politico.eu/article/serbias-pm-calls-snap-elections-eu-accession/

Politico, 19.01.16: Serb election likely to result in government romp http://www.politico.eu/article/serbia-vucic-elections-enlargement-accession/

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