Key facts
- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will run for prime minister in an October 25 election.
- Vucic plans to resign as president on September 27.
- Thousands of opposition supporters rallied in Belgrade on Monday.
- The 'Students Win' movement is the main opposition and has submitted signatures to get on the ballot.
- Student protesters accuse Vucic and his allies of corruption and media control.
BELGRADE, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who has held presidential or prime ministerial roles for 12 years, announced on Sunday evening that he would run for prime minister in an October 25 election. Vucic stated he would resign as president on September 27.
His announcement comes amid nearly two years of student-led anti-corruption demonstrations. On Monday evening, thousands gathered in central Belgrade to support parliamentary candidates for the "Students Win" movement, the main opposition. The movement submitted certified signatures of their supporters, a necessary step to appear on the ballot.
Some opposition parties, including the Democratic Party and Kreni Promeni Movement, have pledged their support to the student movement and will not field their own candidates. At the rally, students carried Serbian flags and chanted "Students Win." Student Stefan Lukic, who attended the event, said, "We, as students, want to reset the system and start everything from the beginning, so that institutions can do their jobs."