Serbians flocked to polling stations on Sunday in a pivotal election set to determine the future of President Aleksandar Vucic’s populist reign.
The charismatic leader, though not on the ballot, faces a critical juncture as his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) aims to solidify its rule amidst promises of stability and inflation curbing following months of public dissent.
Latest polls conducted by Ipsos suggest a substantial lead for the SNS over the primary opposition coalition, setting the stage for a potential extension of Vucic’s influence. However, the real battleground unfolds in the heart of Belgrade, where municipal races pit the SNS against a coalition of opposition parties under the banner “Serbia Against Violence.”
This coalition emerged in response to earlier mass shootings, igniting widespread protests that evolved into a sustained anti-government movement. Vucic, dismissing the dissent as a foreign conspiracy, positioned himself as the essential guide for Serbia’s direction.
As the polls opened at 7:00 am, Vucic exuded confidence, predicting a “landslide victory” while emphasizing the crucial tasks ahead for Serbia. Opposition leaders, on the other hand, banked on high voter turnout to challenge the prevailing political landscape.
“I hope that by the end of the day, we’ll have a big turnout in Belgrade and all over Serbia, and that the voters will have the freedom to express their will,” expressed Dobrica Veselinovic, a prominent figure within the Serbia Against Violence movement.
Vucic’s omnipresence in the lead-up to the elections, from billboards to news channels, underscored the high stakes of this electoral battle. Early voters in Belgrade voiced diverse opinions, with some endorsing Vucic’s leadership for continuity and others yearning for a transformative change.
Simultaneously, along the southern border, ethnic Serbs from Kosovo crossed into Serbia to cast their votes, highlighting the broader geopolitical implications of the elections.
Amidst economic challenges marked by double-digit inflation, Vucic strategically employed state spending measures, including pension increases and cash payouts, to mitigate the impact on citizens leading up to the elections. Promising a doubling of average monthly salaries and further pension hikes, Vucic sought to consolidate public support.
The elections, called abruptly in November, reflect a pattern of Vucic’s government disrupting its term, a move criticized as a strategy to disorient the opposition.
This electoral showdown arrives less than two years after the last round, where Vucic and the SNS tightened their grip on power.
As polling stations prepare to close at 1900 GMT, Serbia awaits the unveiling of unofficial results, which will provide insights into the nation’s political trajectory in the coming years.