Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, left, prepares his ballot for a parliamentary and local election at a polling station in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. The vote in Serbia pits Serbian Pr
In a riveting plot twist straight out of a political thriller, Serbia found itself in the midst of election controversy this week. Indeed, a Monday morning official vote count confirmed victory for the ruling populist party in a parliamentary vote, much to the chagrin of the opposition party. The tension was, quite perceptibly, thicker than a bowl of Serbian pasulj.
However, the opposition, quicker in reflex than a fox in a henhouse, cried foul. They cited irregularities in the capital, Belgrade, and outright declared that they had been robbed of victory. Yes, you read that right—robbed. In response? They refuse to recognize the results and demand an electoral do-over.
And thus, what started as a standard parliamentary and local election Sunday quickly escalated into a tight-rope walk between the powerhouse presidential rule of populist Aleksandar Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party, and Serbia Against Violence, the ever-resilient opposition alliance.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic prepares his ballot for a parliamentary and local election at a polling station in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. The vote in Serbia pits Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's governing Serbian Progressive Party, or SNS, against a pro-Western opposition coalition which is trying to undermine the firm grip on power the populists have maintained since 2012. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, left, prepares his ballot for a parliamentary and local election at a polling station in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. The vote in Serbia pits Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's governing Serbian Progressive Party, or SNS, against a pro-Western opposition coalition which is trying to undermine the firm grip on power the populists have maintained since 2012. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)A man gestures after voting during a parliamentary and local election at a polling station in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. The vote in Serbia pits Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's governing Serbian Progressive Party, or SNS, against a pro-Western opposition coalition which is trying to undermine the firm grip on power the populists have maintained since 2012. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)Miroslav Aleksic, center, one of the main opposition coalition leaders, talks to members of the media during a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. Serbia's governing populists claimed a sweeping victory Sunday in the country's parliamentary election, which was marred by reports of major irregularities both during a tense campaign and on voting day. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)Miroslav Aleksic, front, one of the main opposition coalition leaders, talks to members of the media during a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. Serbia's governing populists claimed a sweeping victory Sunday in the country's parliamentary election, which was marred by reports of major irregularities both during a tense campaign and on voting day. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic speaks to the media in his party headquarters after a parliamentary and local election in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. Serbia's governing populists claimed a sweeping victory Sunday in the country's parliamentary election, which was marred by reports of major irregularities both during a tense campaign and on voting day. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic grimaces during a press conference in his party headquarters after a parliamentary and local election in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. Serbia's governing populists claimed a sweeping victory Sunday in the country's parliamentary election, which was marred by reports of major irregularities both during a tense campaign and on voting day. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic celebrates in his party headquarters after a parliamentary and local election in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. Serbia's governing populists claimed a sweeping victory Sunday in the country's parliamentary election, which was marred by reports of major irregularities both during a tense campaign and on voting day. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The numbers tell a part of the tale. Vucic's SNS party claimed about 47% of the ballots, leaving the opposition trailing in its wake at 23%. Smaller parties tried to score a goal but ended up mostly as side dancers in the grand political tango, overshadowed by their bigger competitors.
But it's here that the plot thickens. If the votes hold, the SNS party will have an absolute majority in the 250-member parliament and will call the shots for the next government. An astounding feat, if not for the intense grumblings of foul play coming from the opposition.
Claims of fraud have bedeviled the election, with an alleged menagerie of irregularities whisking their way into both the campaign and on voting day. From buses filled with ethnic Serbs from as far off as neighboring Bosnia casting votes in Belgrade, to assaulting monitoring teams and alleged offers of monetary incentives for voters, it's a political soap opera script waiting to be written.
Echoing the sentiment is the independent Center for Research, Transparency, and Accountability group which monitors the elections. The issues in discussion were particularly serious in the city of Belgrade, primarily in light of actions that influenced the electoral will of citizens.
Naturally, Vucic and his party are singing a different tune, vehemently denying any involvement in such activities. In response, the opposition is itching to file official complaints, and at the time of writing, even planning a street protest.
All said and done, despite not including the presidency, this election comes across as a critique of sorts on Vucic. Meanwhile, Serbia Against Violence, ever the resilient lot, is standing tall despite the odds, their eye on the prize - promoting democratic freedom. For a region that has been facing claims of eroding democratic liberties, this battle for veracity is more than just an electoral race. It's about restoring the faith of the people.
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