Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced that he would step down as head of state in the coming weeks, saying it would be his last time addressing large crowds as president.

Vučić—who has led Serbia since 2017—also said he had told the leadership of his party, the Serbian Progressive Party, that he would support upcoming elections, including by helping the party gain public trust and backing a list branded as “United Serbia.” He said he would remain involved in politics after leaving the presidency.

His statement came ahead of planned early presidential and parliamentary elections, which his announcement effectively set in motion or accelerated.