Irregularities in the Serbian elections

Local elections were held on Sunday, March 29, in ten municipalities across Serbia. “Observers from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe witnessed acts of violence, and in all municipalities visited, except one, they observed heated disputes and the presence of large groups of people, often unidentified and sometimes masked,” the observers’ statement read. “Violence and coercion constitute unacceptable barriers to the free expression of voters’ will (…) a number of irregularities related to breaches of ballot secrecy and voters photographing their ballots are also highly concerning.”

The elections were seen as a test of the authority of incumbent President Aleksandar Vučić after more than a year of anti-government protests. According to preliminary results, the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), to which Vučić belongs, won in all municipalities.

On election day, acts of violence were reported in at least three towns. Students and some observers were allegedly attacked by government supporters. The ruling party accused them of provoking the incidents. Independent Serbian observers recorded dozens of irregularities, with some reports claiming that the vote “could hardly be called an election.”

Aleksandar Vučić has served as President of Serbia for nine years (currently in the fourth year of his second term). In Serbia, the presidential term lasts five years, and the same person may hold office for a maximum of two terms. Presidential and parliamentary elections in Serbia are expected to take place at the end of 2026 or in early 2027.