In the heat of Serbia's parliamentary elections, President Aleksandar Vucic's party, the SNS, clinched a resounding victory. Given the high inflation and months of student-led protests, the SNS's performance was quite the surprise. The party, recognized for its right-wing populist stance, previously held 120 seats but was dependent on a coalition partner.
However, the SNS was a favorite going into the election. With the president's omnipresence throughout the campaign, Sunday's vote was widely perceived as a referendum on his government. Critics, led by opposition figure Radomir Lazovic, voiced concerns about numerous irregularities. They accused the ruling party of vote buying and the use of forged signatures.
Despite these allegations, the SNS emerged victorious with an increased number of seats. The victory marked a significant shift in Serbia's political landscape, providing President Vucic with a stronger mandate. In Belgrade, the capital, the clear victory of the SNS was seen as a vote of confidence in Vucic's leadership and policies.
The election results could have various implications, including the country's stance on EU membership and its relationship with fellow Balkan states. However, the opposition's refusal to accept the results and calls for a transition government mean that tensions within Serbia's political sphere are unlikely to dissipate anytime soon.
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The 2023 Serbian parliamentary elections were marked by student-led protests and allegations of electoral fraud. The protests, sparked by the collapse of a Novi Sad railway station canopy in 2024, escalated in January 2025, with students demanding significant reforms and an end to corruption. High inflation was a persistent issue in Serbia, contributing to overall dissatisfaction with the government. However, it was not directly linked to the election outcome at the time of the sources provided.
The election results led to widespread criticism and allegations of electoral irregularities. The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) released reports highlighting various irregularities, including vote buying and pressure on public sector employees. The opposition parties, including those led by Radomir Lazovic, called for the annulment of election results due to these irregularities. Despite these allegations, the SNS-led Serbia Must Not Stop electoral alliance emerged as the majority in the National Assembly in the 2023 parliamentary election.
