Serbia to Hold Early Elections

FILE - Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic addresses the 68th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, Sept. 25, 2013.

Serbia's president has dissolved parliament and called for early elections, in an effort to garner more popular support for economic and social reforms.

President Tomislav Nikolic on Wednesday scheduled a parliamentary election for March 16, at the request of Serbia's coalition government.

Reports say the ruling Serbian Progressive Party is behind the move, as it hopes to increase its support in order to accelerate the reform plan.

Serbia is working on reforms to clear the way for European Union membership.