Nikolic calls elections for March 16

(Tomislav Nikolic)

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic called on Wednesday early parliamentary elections for March 16, Tanjug news agency reports.

Based on the government's argument, Nikolic signed a decree on the dissolution of the Serbian parliament and decision to call early parliamentary elections.

These will be 10th parliamentary elections since the introduction of the multi-party system, and seventh early elections.

On Tuesday, Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic and First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic gave the president the government's proposal for dissolving the parliament, underlining that early parliamentary elections are needed in order to ensure broader support for the reforms and modernization of the society.

"With the aim of meeting conditions for citizens to voice their opinion about the future direction of the government policy and ensuring the broadest possible support for the accelerated reforms and modernization of the society, we propose that the National Assembly be dissolved, new elections for MPs held and new government elected in accordance with the people's will," the argument reads.

Elections for the municipal assembly of Belgrade will also be held on the same day, March 16.