Reports that Serbian President Nikolic not ready to give up his seat in favor of Prime Minister Vucic

Belgrade, 16 February 2017 (MIA) - Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic plans to compete in this year's Presidential election, even after Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic announced that he will also enter the race.
Serbian media report that Nikolic decided to challenge the leader of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), on whose ticket he was elected in 2012 because he was unhappy with the way he was sidelined in favor of Vucic. Nikolic was allegedly irked after even his own son supported Vucic for the nomination, which the SNS board decided on unanimously.
Vucic thanked Nikolic for his support in the past five years, and said that his historic role is guaranteed. "All those who would vote for me, would also vote for Nikolic. He is the best possible candidate, but we have made an assessment based on the need for political stability and to reach out the 3-4 percent of voters who could be decisive. It is our estimate that in this way, we will be better position against the forces that are united to drag Serbia back", Vucic said explaining his decision to make a push from the Prime Minister's position to the office of the President. He added that he "loves Nikolic, but loves Serbia more".