Serbian People Vote in New Early Election

Serbia is currently holding snap elections, and it is expected that President Aleksander Vucic's party will remain in power, despite facing anti-government protests. The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) coalition is predicted to secure a majority in parliament. However, in local elections, the SNS is anticipated to face tough competition from a coalition campaigning against violence, known as Serbia Against Violence. This coalition was formed by opposition parties after two mass shootings in May, which resulted in the death of 19 individuals, including 10 at a school in Belgrade. These tragic events sparked widespread protests against gun violence, which eventually turned into demonstrations against President Vucic and the SNS. Opposition parties argued that these massacres reflected a culture of violence promoted by the ruling party and its media allies. In addition to these domestic issues, Serbia is grappling with high inflation, reaching 8% in November. Furthermore, pressure from the European Union (EU) and the US to establish normal relations with Kosovo, a state that declared its independence in 2008 but has not been recognized by Serbia, poses an additional challenge for the country. Serbia is a candidate to join the EU. Moreover, Serbia has refused to impose sanctions on Russia concerning its invasion of Ukraine. The SNS has held power since 2012, and there have been three elections in the last three years. On Sunday, President Vucic expressed his expectations for a decisive victory and a high turnout. The Serbia Against Violence alliance, a loose coalition of opposition parties, supported the idea of these snap elections. Alongside the parliamentary vote to secure a four-year term, several municipal seats are up for grabs, including those in the capital, Belgrade. Analysts deem the battle for the capital crucial due to its symbolic significance and its status as the only place where the opposition has a considerable chance of success. Recently, the former mayor of Belgrade and a leader within the Serbia Against Violence coalition, Dragan Djilas, stated that "changes in Serbia have begun." He emphasized the determination of the people to live normally without crime, corruption, and skyrocketing prices.