Serbian PM Vucic declares victory in presidential elections

Serbian Prime Minister and presidential candidate Aleksandar Vucic speaks after his win in presidential election at his headquarters in Belgrade, Serbia, April 2, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

BELGRADE - Aleksandar Vucic, incumbent prime minister of Serbia, declared victory Sunday evening in the country's presidential elections, pledging to continue reforms, European integration and anti-corruption efforts, along with good relations with China and Russia.

Vucic won 57.03 percent of votes in the presidential elections, according to the first official preliminary results of Republic Electoral Commission (RIK) based on 56.56 percent of counted votes.

Voter turnout was around 54 percent, according to RIK.

Vucic expressed his satisfaction with the fact that he won such a great number of votes in tough conditions.

"I am very proud of the fact that we won huge support of Serbian citizens," he said. "It is important that Serbia shows where it wants to go, and that this victory is clean."

The preliminary results also showed that former ombudsman Sasa Jankovic came in second with 14.89 percent. Comedian and political activist Luka Maksimovic won 9.04 percent of votes, while former Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic won 5.33 percent.

The RIK will announce the final results of the elections 96 hours after the polls are closed.