Serbia's president Aleksandar Vucic on November 1 dissolved parliament and set December 17 as the date for an early general election and several local votes. Local elections will take place in about 60 municipalities, including the capital city, Belgrade. The elections come after a series of weekly protests against the government, which began in May, prompted by a mass shooting at a primary school. Protesters are alleging that the government has allowed a culture of violence to spread throughout society, indirectly leading to the school shooting. Vucic resigned as head of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in May.