Serbia's SNS party officially secures general elections

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
13 Jan 2024 10:42

The alliance led by Ivica Dacic, Serbia's Prime Minister, has secured 18 seats, while the NADA coalition and the People's Vote, Our Choice alliance each obtained 13 seats.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic speaks to the media at his party headquarters after parliamentary and local elections in Belgrade, Serbia, on December 17, 2023. (AP)

Serbia's State Election Commission has officially released the results of the December 17 general elections in Serbia. According to the Commission's statement, the Serbia Should Not Stop alliance, led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and backed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, emerged victorious with 46% of the vote in the early elections.

The announcement specified that the alliance claimed 129 seats out of the 250-seat National Assembly. On the other hand, the opposition coalition, Serbia Against Violence, comprising various opposition parties, garnered 23% of the vote and secured 65 seats in the Assembly.

The alliance led by Ivica Dacic, Serbia's Prime Minister, secured 18 seats, while the NADA coalition and the People's Vote, Our Choice alliance each obtained 13 seats. The Vojvodina Hungarians Union List secured six seats, the Usama Zukorlic-Union for Justice List won two, and the Democratic Action Party-Sandzak (SDA Sandzak) also secured two seats. Additionally, the Russia Party and the Albanian Political Struggle List each managed to secure one seat.

The statement emphasized that out of the 18 lists participating in the election, 10 have successfully earned the right to enter the Assembly based on the official results. The results are scheduled to be published in the official gazette.

With the official results announced, parliament is expected to commence its duties within 30 days, and the formation of a new government is anticipated within 90 days.

Thirteen days of opposition-led protests

Following the elections, the Serbia Against Violence alliance orchestrated demonstrations in Belgrade, lasting 13 days with the participation of thousands, alleging irregularities in the voting process.

Throughout the demonstrations held from December 18 to 30, the opposition called for the annulment of the elections. Tear gas was deployed to disperse protesters attempting to enter the Belgrade City Assembly building. Demonstrators, using torches, damaged doors, windows, and security cameras of the building.

Despite the objections raised by the Serbia Against Violence alliance, the State Election Commission rejected claims of irregularities in the vote. As the New Year and Orthodox Christmas approached, the opposition's last gathering took place on December 30.

The opposition contended that hundreds of individuals were transported by buses from Republika Srpska, one of Bosnia and Herzegovina's entities, to Belgrade on December 17 to vote "illegally."