Serbia’s Populists Celebrate Victorious Win in Parliamentary Election

In Serbia’s recent parliamentary election, the country’s governing populists have emerged victorious amidst reports of major irregularities. With half the ballots counted, the governing Serbian Progressive Party is projected to have won 47% of the vote, securing around 130 seats in the 250-member assembly. The main opposition, Serbia Against Violence, won around 23%, according to acting Prime Minister Ana Brnabic. The election was a heated contest between President Aleksandar Vucic’s Serbian Progressives and a centrist coalition seeking to undermine the ruling populists. The opposition coalition aimed to achieve a significant victory in the city council of Belgrades, which could challenge Vucic’s hardline rule. However, both parties have disputed the results, with the opposition claiming vote-rigging and Vucic asserting his party’s lead in the capital city. Turnout was reported to be around 55%, and official results are expected on Monday.

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Serbia’s Populists Celebrate Victorious Win in Parliamentary Election

Serbia’s governing populists have claimed a sweeping victory in the country’s parliamentary election, which has been marred by reports of major irregularities both during a tense campaign and on voting day.

Acting Prime Minister Ana Brnabic announced that with half the ballots counted, the governing Serbian Progressive Party’s projections showed it won 47% of the vote and is expected to hold around 130 seats in the 250-member assembly. The main opposition Serbia Against Violence group won approximately 23% of the vote.

The main contest in the parliamentary and local elections was between President Aleksandar Vucic’s Serbian Progressives and the centrist coalition that sought to undermine the populists who have ruled the troubled Balkan state since 2012.

Governing Populists Claim Sweeping Victory

Acting Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said that with half the ballots counted, the governing Serbian Progressive Party’s projections showed it won 47% percent of the vote and expected to hold around 130 seats in the 250-member assembly. The main opposition Serbia Against Violence group won around 23%, Brnabic said.

The main contest in the parliamentary and local elections was between President Aleksandar Vucic’s Serbian Progressives and the centrist coalition that sought to undermine the populists who have ruled the troubled Balkan state since 2012.

Irregularities and Major Irregularities Reported

Reports of irregularities and major irregularities have marred the parliamentary election. Election monitors and independent media have reported several incidents throughout the campaign and on voting day.

One report alleged that ethnic Serbs from neighboring Bosnia gathered to vote at a sports hall in Belgrade that wasn’t an official polling station. Another report said that a monitoring team was attacked, and their car was vandalized in a town in northern Serbia.

The independent Center for Research, Transparency, and Accountability expressed “the highest concern” over cases of the organized transfer of illegal voters from other countries to Belgrade. They observed a concentration of buses, minivans, and cars transferring voters to polling stations across the city.

Additional irregularities included accusations of voter manipulation, such as money being given to vote for the governing party, and the presence of unauthorized individuals at polling stations.

Main Opposition Group Disputes Election Projections

The main opposition group, Serbia Against Violence, has disputed the election projections made by the governing party. They have claimed there was vote-rigging and have stated that they will dispute the vote count “by all democratic means.”

The opposition leader, Miroslav Aleksic, accused the governing party of bringing people who do not live in Belgrade to vote. He also alleged that 40,000 identity documents were issued for non-residents of the capital.

The opposition group has pledged to use all available democratic means to challenge the vote rigging in Belgrade and Serbia, as they believe the results do not reflect a democratic and fair election.

Turnout and First Official Results

One hour before the polls closed, the turnout was approximately 55%. This figure is similar to the turnout during the previous election in 2022 when President Vucic won by a landslide.

The first official results of the parliamentary election are expected to be announced on Monday.

Reports of Ethnic Serbs Voting in Non-Official Polling Station

Allegations have been made that ethnic Serbs from neighboring Bosnia gathered to vote in a sports hall in Belgrade that was not an official polling station. This raises concerns about the integrity of the election process and the fairness of the results.

The presence of non-official polling stations undermines the transparency and credibility of the election, as it allows for potential manipulation and interference.

Election monitors have expressed concerns over the situation and have called for further investigation into this incident.

Attack on Election Monitors

During the election, a monitoring team was attacked, and their car was vandalized in a town in northern Serbia. This attack raises significant concerns about the safety of election monitors and the impact it may have had on the integrity of the election.

Attacks on election monitors undermine the democratic process and can discourage individuals from participating in future elections. It is essential to ensure the safety and protection of election monitors to uphold the principles of free and fair elections.

Transfer of Illegal Voters

An independent group has raised concerns about the transfer of illegal voters during the election. They observed the concentration of buses, minivans, and cars in Belgrade, transferring voters to polling stations across the city.

The organized transfer of illegal voters from other countries undermines the principle of only allowing eligible citizens to vote. This manipulation of the election process raises questions about the fairness and legitimacy of the results.

Further investigation is necessary to determine the extent of the transfer of illegal voters and the impact it had on the outcome of the election.

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Accusations of Voter Manipulation

Accusations of voter manipulation have emerged during the election. There have been reports of money being given to individuals to vote for the governing party. Additionally, there have been allegations of unauthorized individuals present at polling stations.

These accusations raise concerns about the integrity of the election and the fairness of the results. It is essential to conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations to ensure that the election process is free from manipulation and interference.

Authorities have disputed the claims, labeling them as “lies intended to spread panic.” However, it is crucial to address these allegations seriously and take appropriate action to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.

Conclusion

Serbia’s parliamentary election has been marred by reports of major irregularities and allegations of voter manipulation. Irregularities such as the presence of non-official polling stations, attacks on election monitors, and the transfer of illegal voters raise significant concerns about the fairness and integrity of the election.

The main opposition group has disputed the election projections and has pledged to challenge the results using democratic means. It is essential to address these concerns and ensure that accurate and transparent results are obtained.

The outcome of the election will have significant implications for Serbia’s democratic future, including its EU membership and the preservation of democratic freedoms. It is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize transparency, accountability, and the credibility of the electoral process to uphold the principles of democracy.

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