Serbian voters go to the polls on Sunday in Triple elections, likely to maintain the current slate government in power.
About 6.5 million voters choose the president, a new parliament and local authorities in The capital is Belgrade and over Dozens of other cities and municipalities.
Upcoming polls of The vote I expected that President Aleksandar Vucic will win Five moreyear term And that his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party will do so again It dominates the 250-member assembly.
But the opposition groups stand a chance to win the majority in Belgrade, analysts say. This would deal a serious blow to the populists a decade ago, undisputedly rule in Serbia.
Fucik, former extremist who splurge of Close links with Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought to portray himself as a guarantor of Stability amidst raging turmoil in Europe.
After you throw him vote in The capital is Belgrade for Vucic told the presidential, parliamentary and local elections: “I am confident of that people will choose good future for themselves and their families and children. I think citizens will choose economic continuity progress. As far as I heard, there was no problem so far. Personally, I have very meaningful and important expectations of victory. I think everyone will get what they deserve.”
Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of The opposition “United” for victory of “Serbia, he expects the elections to be a start,” Zdravko Bonos said of more normal relationships in Society and the end of Artificial divisions, better relationships with The environmenta more Certain future And the more stable life.
Bonos said Serbia is a “deeply divided society”.
Serbian member of chair of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik also Participate in Elections by choosing him vote At the Consulate General of Serbia in Banja Luka city.
Dudek said that a large number of Citizens of Republika Srpska (one of two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina) is in the process of voting.
“I’d like like all citizens of RS to one Get automatic citizenship today of Serbia and to be able to vote for everyone here on On this day when elections are held in Serbia. That will be a part of my efforts in The future Dodik said.
In a country he passed through series of wars in The 1990s and the bombing of NATO in 1999, concerns of shedding conflict over Played in the hands of Vucic.
Although Serbia is officially seeking to join the European Union, Vucic has fostered close ties with Russia and China, on the rise on Serbian resentment of the West over NATO air war.
Serbia backed a UN resolution condemning Russia invasion of Ukraine, but Belgrade did not joined Penalties against Moscow, a historical Slavic ally.
The beleaguered opposition groups have also He mostly refrained from publicly calling a tougher Line on Moscow. Russia has supported Serbia’s claim on Kosovo former The province that declared independence backed by the West in 2008.
After the former boycott vote in 2020, main Opposition parties said so vote He is also Far from being free and fair of Fuchik’s domination over the current media and state institutions.
Vucic main opponent in The presidential election comes from the middle -conservative coalitionUnited for victory of Serbia, which includes main opposition parties.
General Zdravko Bonos, educated in the West former Army chief of staff, hoping to push Vucic to a second round in Presidential ballot.
This election will bring about a serious change in “Serbia,” Bonos said after casting his vote. “I hope the citizens of Serbia will take chance today is added.
In the run-up to me voteReports have appeared of ballots It is sent to addresses for people who don’t do live There, which led to the opposition warnings of potential fraud.
The ruling populists have denied any manipulation ballots or pressure on voters.
their position in The capital was lower than the rest of The country is partly due to the number of Corruption plagued construction projects that destroyed the city’s urban core.
green-left coalitionMoramo, or We must, is running in The election for The first time, campaigns on indignation in Belgrade and anger over Serbia’s many ecological problems.
The group she has drawn in thousands of people for protests against Lithium mining in Serbia and demand Cleaner air, rivers and land.
since then party Came to me power in 2012, Vucic was a defense Minister prime minister And the president.
eve of Elections, some voters in Belgrade said they would like To see the change, at least in Capital city. Others were skeptical that this was possible.
“Honestly, I think the opposition does not stand a chance,” said Srjan Kovacevic, a resident of Belgrade.
Predrag Rebic said he is also expecting a central defender government And the president of remain The same.
“The mayor (Belgrade) will change and that’s what I expect,” he said.
