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, would take over the presidential role for an interim period. Serbia would hold presidential elections by the end of the year, Vucic said.