Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic dismissed Parliament on Wednesday, the 1st of November, and called an early election on the 17th of December, with the aim of strengthening his authority as he works towards normalising relations with Kosovo, a key prerequisite for European Union (EU) membership, reports Reuters.
Parliamentary elections will be held at the same time as local elections in 65 municipalities, including the capital Belgrade.
“We are living at a time when we all must be united in the fight for Serbia’s vital interests, in which we will face various pressures, both because of our position on Kosovo and other regional and global issues,” Vucic said after the decree was signed.
Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday, during a visit to Belgrade,
called on Serbia and Kosovo to normalise relations
and meet a number of criteria for them to become members of the EU, including joining Western sanctions against Russia, implementing anti-corruption measures, economic reforms, improving the judiciary, business environment and advancing respect for human rights.
Vucic’s move is seen also as an attempt to strengthen his political party (SNS) and undermine popularity amid opposition protests, especially after mass shootings in May.
The SNS-led alliance is projected to win around 44% of the vote and will need coalition partners to secure a majority in Parliament. The centrist opposition bloc Agaist The Violence has about 38% support, while the ultra-nationalist and pro-Russian parties together are projected to have about 11% of the vote, according to a poll conducted by Stata.
Vucic, who last year secured his second term, resigned as SNS leader in May but still retains influence. Opposition parties and rights groups accuse him, the SNS and allies of autocracy, media repression, electoral fraud, violence, corruption, and links to organised crime. Vucic and allies deny the allegations.
Vucic, after signing the decree, said it was important for Serbia to “maintain peace, stability and internal cohesion and show democracy.”
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