Serbian PM requests president to schedule snap elections

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday officially requested President Tomislav Nikolic to dissolve parliament and schedule snap elections less than two years since taking office.

Vucic sent a written request to Nikolic on Thursday, who is obliged, according to the law, to answer within 72 hours.

The government says the request would pave the path for a host of necessary reforms, including those demanded by chapters in the EU acquis on Serbia's path towards full membership in European Union.

Vucic said by voting in fresh elections, people will decide "whether Serbia will become a modern European country by 2020."

The request reads that "in order to secure European living standard and define a clear and unambiguous future path of our country, there is a need for a fresh power of a united Serbia with a clear mandate to complete reforms and enable the country to step towards the front door of the European family of nations."

If Nikolic accepts the government's proposal, snap elections will be scheduled for April 24, together with local and provincial elections.

Serbia's current government was elected on April 27, 2014 with a mandate of four years. Endit