Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic resigned seven months before his term was due to end, setting up a presidential election within 90 days. The move comes ahead of the October 25 parliamentary vote and could see him appointed prime minister if the SNS forms a government.
Outgoing parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic will serve as interim president until a successor is elected. Vucic said the first round would be held by the end of December; the campaign must last between 30 and 60 days.
The October 25 snap parliamentary election pits Vucic's SNS and its allies 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 nominate presidential candidates.
