Status: 03.04.2022 11:40 p.m
Serbian President Vucic is about to serve a second term. According to initial forecasts, he was able to clearly assert himself against his opponent candidates. His party SNS also won the majority in parliament.
According to projections, incumbent Aleksandar Vucic and his SNS party won the presidential and parliamentary elections in Serbia. According to the election research institutes Ipsos and Cesid, Vucic received 59.8 of the votes and would thus prevail in the first round of voting without a runoff. He could therefore start his second term in a row. His strongest opponent, Zdravko Ponos, has 17 percent of the votes.
According to the projections, Vucic’ party SNS can count on 43.6 percent of the votes and is thus well ahead of the opposition alliance “United for Victory” with 12.9 percent and the Socialists, who accordingly come to 11.6 percent. The national electoral commission announced that the first projections based on counting results would only be announced later.
Ukraine war specific election campaign
In the parliamentary and presidential elections, the citizens of Serbia were called upon to vote on their country’s future course. In view of the uncertainties resulting from the Ukraine war, Vucic presented himself as a guarantor of stability. The war had overshadowed the election campaign.
Previously dominant issues such as environmental protection and corruption faded into the background. “We expect a huge win,” said Vucic after casting his vote. “That’s what we’ve been working on for the past four or five years and we believe we will continue with the great effort and advancement of this country.”
Former military chief Ponos, who is supported by the pro-European opposition, was Vucic’s main challenger. “I hope for a bright future,” said the opposition candidate on election day. “Elections are the right way to change the situation. I hope the citizens of Serbia will seize this opportunity today.”
Opposition sees irregularities in elections
NGOs reported violent incidents on election day. The opposition also complained about various irregularities. She accused SNS supporters of attempting to intimidate them at polling stations.
Parliamentary candidate Pavle Grbovic said he was attacked by ruling party activists when he tried to document election fraud in Belgrade.