Echoing Putin, Serbia’s president resigns in bid to become prime minister

Embattled Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic resigned on Sunday in a well-telegraphed move as he seeks to transition to the role of prime minister as a way of staying close to power in the Balkan nation.

Parliamentary Speaker Ana Brnabic, his ally, will take over the presidential role for an interim period. Serbia will hold presidential elections by the end of the year, Vucic said on public television.

Meanwhile, Serbs head to a snap election on October 25 that seeks to resolve almost two years of anti-government protests that have evolved from an irritant to a threat for Vucic.