AKIPRESS.COM - Serbia's pro-EU Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has claimed victory in general elections after pollsters' projections showed his Progressive Party won 50% of the votes, BBC reports.

He said Serbs "again gave us the honor to lead the government."

Vucic called the poll early seeking a mandate to continue with reforms required to join the EU.

The Socialists are in second place with about 13%, while the ultra-nationalist Radical Party – which seeks closer ties with Russia and opposes EU membership – is third with 7%.

Radical Party leader Vojislav Seselj could return to parliament after his recent acquittal of crimes against humanity at the UN war crimes tribunal in the Hague.

This is Serbia's third parliamentary election in less than four years.