The parliamentary elections in Serbia, which took place last Sunday, caused a lot of commotion and attracted the attention of media around the world. The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), led by President Aleksandar Vucic, came out well ahead with 46.6% of the vote, according to initial results. This victory was expected, but it is not without raising some questions and criticism.
The opposition Alliance Against Violence (SPN) is in second place with 23% of the vote, while the Socialist Party of Serbia, led by outgoing Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, is struggling to obtain a small share. 6.9% of the votes. These results underline the domination of the SNS on the Serbian political scene, but also the existence of an opposition which is trying to make itself heard.
However, these elections were marked by numerous incidents, including irregularities and violence reported by poll observers. Accusations of corruption, media manipulation and repression of the opposition have also been leveled against the SNS and its leader Aleksandar Vucic.
As a candidate for membership in the European Union, Serbia is closely scrutinized by the international community. However, the country still faces significant challenges such as the normalization of its relations with Kosovo, the fight against corruption and organized crime, as well as the need to continue economic reforms to get closer to European standards.
These legislative elections mark a turning point for Serbia, which must move forward to meet the expectations of its citizens and international institutions. The next few months will be crucial to observe the actions and decisions of the Serbian government, and see if it manages to overcome the challenges that present themselves.