Experts also warn of potential irregularities, corruption, and even incidents during the election process.
Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić has scheduled regular local elections for March 29, 2026, in nine municipalities and one city, after signing the decision in the National Assembly in Belgrade.
The vote will take place in Bor, Aranđelovac, Bajina Bašta, Kladovo, Knjaževac, Kula, Lučani, Majdanpek, Smederevska Palanka, and in the city of Užice (Sevojno municipality). The previous local elections in these areas were held in 2022, with some of the new elections already announced earlier.
The decision comes amid rising political tensions in the country and expectations that the vote could serve as an indicator for potential early parliamentary elections, which the opposition has been demanding for months.
Reactions from political forces have been mixed. Representatives of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) describe the elections as an opportunity to channel public dissatisfaction and civic energy — including among young people and students — through the electoral process.
At the same time, analysts warn of serious risks. Political analyst Dragomir Anđelković noted that previous local elections showed the use of pressure, threats, and displays of force, rather than genuine competition based on policies and ideas, raising concerns about the quality of the democratic process.
Another analyst, Dejan Bursać, emphasized that the elections are crucial for the ruling party, as President Aleksandar Vučić’s SNS is defending its positions at all levels of government. According to him, losing even part of these elections could weaken the ruling party’s dominance.
He added that support for SNS has declined — from around 70–80% in 2025 to just over 50% — making the upcoming vote particularly decisive. The campaign is expected to be intense, with significant resources and strong mobilization from both the government and the opposition.
Experts also warn of potential irregularities, corruption, and even incidents during the election process. At the same time, they note that premature claims of electoral fraud could discourage voter participation. However, the emergence of well-organized opposition candidates could motivate citizens to engage more actively and defend their vote.
Observers see these local elections as an important test for Serbia’s political system — both for the resilience of the ruling authorities and for the opposition’s ability to consolidate in a highly polarized environment. | BGNES