Serbian president steps down as leader of party amid anti-government protests

Aleksandar Vucic speaks during a major rally in Belgrade (Darko Vojinovic/AP/PA)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has stepped down from the helm of his populist party amid plans to form a wider political movement and as he faces a wave of anti-government protests.

At his own proposal, Mr Vucic was replaced as the leader of the right-wing Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) by Milos Vucevic, who is currently the defence minister.