In Serbia, voters will head to the polls this weekend for municipal elections in various cities, including a rerun ballot in Belgrade. The Serbian Progressive Party, led by President Aleksandar Vucic, is expected to maintain its hold on power. The ruling party has controlled all levels of power in Serbia for over a decade, making any opposition victory significant. However, disagreements among opposition groups have led to voter apathy and lowered chances of an upset.
Accusations of election fraud in December led to a rerun in Belgrade, where the ruling populists were accused of irregularities such as busing voters from other parts of the country and bias in the media. Despite forming a working group with watchdog organizations and amending voter registration laws under EU pressure, concerns of manipulation and pressure on voters in the public sector remain.
The pro-Western opposition has accused Vucic of crime links and corruption, but their fragmentation and internal conflicts have weakened their chances in the upcoming elections. The opposition’s slogan “We choose to fight!” highlights their struggle for free and fair elections.
Analysts warn that voter apathy and disappointment among opposition supporters could impact Sunday’s ballot results. With over 6.5 million voters participating and various key cities at stake, the outcome of the municipal elections in Serbia will have significant implications for the country’s political landscape.
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