Populist ruling party of Serbia declares victory amid allegations of irregularities in municipal elections
In the municipal elections held across numerous cities and towns, including a rerun vote in the capital city of Belgrade, the ruling populist party of Serbia has declared a sweeping victory. This election result, if confirmed, would further consolidate the power of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in the EU candidate country.
Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, who also serves as the chief of the SNS, announced that the party had achieved overwhelming success, winning all but four municipalities. “From the north to the south, from Subotica to Niš, from Užice to the east, our list ‘Aleksandar Vučić – Serbia Tomorrow’ secured a pure and convincing victory. I congratulate all citizens,” Vučević stated in a press conference.
President Aleksandar Vučić echoed these sentiments, revealing that his party had likely secured 63 out of 110 seats in the Belgrade City Assembly. He emphasized the need to preserve the country’s peace and freedom while also extending a hand to political opponents.
Opposition claims of election irregularities
Despite the ruling party’s declarations of victory, opposition politicians have raised serious concerns about the integrity of the elections. Incidents of skirmishes were reported at a Novi Sad fair complex when opposition members attempted to enter a hall filled with SNS activists. Police intervened, and later, ruling party activists were seen removing boxes with unidentified contents through a back exit, according to N1 regional television.
Additionally, opposition officials reported the establishment of illicit ‘call centres’ in various locations, which were allegedly used to mobilize supporters to vote. One such center was reportedly found in a Belgrade sports hall, and opposition activists attempted to enter a downtown restaurant where they suspected SNS activists were operating.
Radomir Lazović, a leader of the opposition coalition ‘I Choose to Fight,’ criticized the campaign, citing the dominance of Vučić and the SNS in the media, and alleging the use of fake news, hate speech, and labels such as ‘traitors’ and ‘foreign mercenaries’ against local election participants.
Controversy and future implications
The ruling SNS has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that their activities were lawful. However, this is not the first time the populists have faced such allegations. In December, they were accused by opposition and foreign observers of busing in voters from other regions and neighboring Bosnia, which they also denied. Similar accusations resurfaced on social media during this election.
Vučić and his party have positioned themselves as the sole political force capable of ensuring the country’s stability amidst global turmoil. While Vučić seeks EU membership for Serbia, his administration has increasingly moved away from pro-EU democratic values, fostering closer ties with Russia and China.
Pro-Western opposition groups have accused Vučić of corruption, links to organized crime, and a crackdown on democracy. However, the opposition itself has been weakened by internal divisions, which has led to voter apathy among Serbia’s 6.5 million citizens.
The official results of the municipal elections are expected to be released later today, which will either confirm the SNS’s declared victory or potentially open the door to further disputes and political unrest in Serbia.
