Serbia at crossroads, elections pave way for Vucic's dominance

Serbians flocked to the polls on Sunday in a pivotal election, poised to shape the political landscape as President Aleksandar Vucic’s ruling party seeks to solidify its grip on power.

Despite Vucic’s absence from the ballot, the parliamentary and local elections are widely regarded as a verdict on his government’s controversial policies.

The latest Ipsos poll indicates a substantial lead for Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), positioning them ahead of the primary opposition coalition.

However, the capital city, Belgrade, becomes the battleground for municipal races, with a formidable challenge posed by the “Serbia Against Violence” coalition – a response to this year’s mass shootings that catalyzed widespread anti-government protests.

These protests, born from tragic events, evolved into a prolonged display of discontent, challenging Vucic’s leadership.

Dismissing critics as part of a foreign conspiracy, Vucic warned of a directionless Serbia without his firm hand.

At a recent rally, he declared, “It’s not about me leaving power, but about them destroying everything.”

In a bid to alleviate economic concerns, Serbia, like many nations worldwide, grapples with double-digit inflation.

In the run-up to the elections, Vucic deployed state resources, increasing pensions and providing financial aid to the elderly.

Promising to double average monthly salaries in the coming years, he aims to address the economic challenges facing the nation.

Vucic’s extensive control over the media has been a contentious issue, further complicating the electoral landscape.

The president, in power for over a decade, strategically called for snap elections in November, a move viewed by critics as a tactic to keep the opposition off balance.

This election follows closely on the heels of the previous round, revealing a pattern of Vucic and the SNS consolidating power.

Polling stations opened at 0600 GMT and will close at 1900 GMT, with unofficial results expected later in the evening.

As Serbia stands at a crossroads, these elections carry profound implications for the nation’s political future, testing the resilience of Vucic’s rule in the face of mounting opposition.