Serbian President Says Will Step Down to Allow Early Vote

Serbian President Boris Tadic said on Wednesday that he will step down to clear the way for simultaneous parliamentary and presidential elections on May 6.

"I decided to shorten my mandate to allow presidential elections to be held on May 6. I will be a candidate," RTS state television quoted Tadic as saying.

"These elections will give voters an opportunity to vote on the road they want to take: I propose the road of European integration and preserving the (country's territorial) integrity," Tadic, who leads the center-left DS party, added.

Serbia last month announced parliamentary, regional and local elections for May 6.

Analysts say that holding all elections simultaneously could energize the lacklustre election campaign and motivate voters who have shown little interest in the poll so far.

After Tadic formally informs parliament speaker Slavica Djukic Dejanovic of his resignation, she will call presidential elections and will serve as acting head of state until the ballot.