The Serbs vote on Sunday, June 21, in legislative elections which should consolidate the party of President Aleksandar Vucic. Reinforced by the coronavirus crisis, the political group in power in Serbia is a favorite, while the main opposition parties boycott the poll.

These first national elections in Europe since the Covid-19 pandemic take place in the presidential shadow. Aleksander Vucic does not show up but his name appears on the ballot papers as the boss of the Serbian Progress Party (SNS, center right) in power for eight years. 

Midday attendance estimated at 18% according to an NGO

Opposition parties which boycott the legislative elections explain that free elections are impossible due to the distortion of the media and democratic landscape.

But the opposition, which nothing brings closer except the detestation of Aleksandar Vucic, is undermined by the dissensions. If the main parties shun the ballot, about twenty small parties went into battle.

According to recent surveys, the SNS should win more than 50% of the vote. The main unknown remains the turnout, between fears linked to the coronavirus and the ironic calls of boycott supporters asking voters to "maintain their social distancing vis-à-vis the polling stations". 

At 12 p.m. (10 a.m. GMT), it was estimated by the independent NGO CRTA at around 18%, a level similar to the 2016 legislative elections.

Almost impossible political change

The Constitution gives the president an honorary role, but Aleksandar Vucic is undoubtedly the one who makes the decisions. The name of the future Prime Minister, in case of victory, has not been announced. The electoral posters are not signed SNS but proclaim: "Aleksandar Vucic for our children".

Analysts speak of a "competitive authoritarian system". "We have competition but the protagonists are not equal," Dusan Spasojevic, a professor of political science at the University of Belgrade, told AFP. The ruling party benefits from a media landscape dominated by the pro-government press, and from a vast electoral base made up of public service employees and their relatives, analysts stress. 

With AFP

The summary of the France 24 week invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app

google-play-badge_FR