Serbia’s governing populists claimed a resounding victory in Sunday’s parliamentary election, marred by reports of significant irregularities throughout the tense campaign and on voting day. Acting Prime Minister Ana Brnabic announced that, with half the ballots counted, the governing Serbian Progressive Party projected a 47% share of the vote, expecting to secure approximately 130 seats in the 250-member assembly. The main opposition, Serbia Against Violence group, garnered around 23%, according to Brnabic.
The primary electoral battle unfolded between President Aleksandar Vucic’s Serbian Progressives and a centrist coalition aiming to challenge the populists who have governed the troubled Balkan state since 2012. a resounding victory
The Serbia Against Violence opposition coalition was anticipated to pose its most significant challenge for the city council in Belgrade. Analysts suggested that an opposition victory in the capital would markedly undermine Vucic’s firm rule in the country.
Vucic, however, said his party was also leading in the vote in the capital, though he added that post-election coalition negotiations would determine who governs in Belgrade.
“This is an absolute victory which makes me extremely happy,” declared a jubilant Vucic at his party’s headquarters in Belgrade. “We know what we have achieved in the previous period and how tough a period lies ahead.”
However, the main opposition group contested the election projections made by the governing party, alleging vote-rigging. They announced their intention to challenge the vote count “by all democratic means.”
“People who do not live in Belgrade were brought in buses, vans, and cars to vote as if they were citizens of Belgrade,” claimed opposition leader Miroslav Aleksic, also asserting that 40,000 identity documents were issued for individuals who do not reside in the capital.
We will use all available democratic means against the vote rigging in Belgrade and Serbia,” he said. “What happened today cannot be something we can accept as the result of a democratic and fair election.”
Turnout one hour before the polls closed was around 55%, about the same as during the last election in 2022 when Vucic scored a landslide victory. First official results are expected Monday.