Local elections held in 10 cities and municipalities delivered expected, but also some new political messages. The election day was marked by heightened tensions, a large number of observers, and a number of incidents.
Speaking about the results of the local elections, Faculty of Political Sciences professor Dušan Vučićević told N1 that this may indeed be the maximum achievable in the municipalities where the elections were held, but that these are not representative municipalities for the national level, and that overall results could be better.
“There are no large cities, no major urban centres, nor municipalities where the opposition traditionally performs better than the national average. These are rather older municipalities, even though Vučić said these were difficult environments for them,” he stated.
“Kladovo – over 40 per cent of people, according to the 2022 census, have only completed primary education or less. In many municipalities, more than 30–35 per cent of people are informationally and media-isolated, effectively confined to following pro-government media, and do not use social networks. These are municipalities that are not particularly favourable terrain for the anti-government bloc, and are much more conducive to a strong result for SNS,” Vučićević explained.
Regarding electoral conditions, he noted that he would not say this is the maximum that can be achieved, but that conditions are unlikely to improve significantly in the near future.
“The position of the EU and European institutions is awaited, and it could perhaps be somewhat stricter, not only in terms of recommendations,” he added.
Vučićević also said that the organisation was considerably better compared to previous local elections, but that it would need to continue improving so that the next parliamentary elections can be approached with a much stronger organisational framework.
He also remarked that it would surprise him – indeed, that it would seem “odd” – if national elections were held before EXPO. He further noted something interesting that likely went unnoticed by many: President Vučić presented results based on the number of valid votes, rather than the total number of votes cast. Vučićević also added that, although there are methodological issues when comparing local election results with the 2023 parliamentary elections, in this case it is still a better approach than comparing them with the 2022 local elections.
The local elections showed a high level of voter turnout, but also numerous tensions, pressures and incidents which, according to the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Milan Antonijević, require serious analysis and a change of approach in the future.
“We should not forget that these are local elections; they carry their own weight, but they also reflect the preceding period in which we have seen a great deal of division and heightened tensions, various incidents, and many developments that were quite visible on the streets, not only in the media but in other ways as well. What we saw yesterday is a snapshot, and I believe we can learn a great deal from it,” Antonijević said. Antonijević emphasised that the electoral process must be based on equality and the free expression of citizens’ will.
“We must analyse whether citizens were able to access polling stations on equal terms, what kinds of pressures existed on all sides, and whether this is something worth addressing in the coming months,” he stated.
During the day, accusations were exchanged regarding pressure on voters, threats and coercion. Antonijević said there should be no room for such behaviour.
“It seems that not enough has been done to ensure that the campaign and public discourse remain where they should be – within the democratic process, without targeting, without stigmatisation, and without harsh rhetoric. In this regard, we must truly call upon all political actors,” Antonijević stressed.
High turnout – a signal of trust in voting
Although the elections were marked by tensions, the high voter turnout is viewed as a positive sign.
“It is excellent that turnout was so high; it demonstrates trust in the voting process itself and in the belief that one’s vote will be valued,” Antonijević said and added that in some municipalities, the small margin in vote counts shows that “every vote truly is equal and measured as such”.
He reiterated that the high turnout in yesterday’s elections represents a positive development. “It is a positive step forward that from one electoral cycle to another we are seeing a genuinely large number of people at polling stations,” Antonijević added.
A campaign marked by excessive pressure and harsh rhetoric
Following last year’s local elections, this is already the third electoral cycle marked by incidents and varying levels of tension. Antonijević stated that this reflects a series of pressures that have not diminished at any point, from any side.
“There is much that can be done. No one should be persecuted in any way because their political preference differs from yours. These are all issues that must be addressed between election cycles – to ensure there is no pressure on voters and no compromise of the electoral process. We must also consider the role and responsibility of the media. We have not seen many conciliatory tones, and that certainly affects voters and families. In such turbulent circumstances, which often appear hopeless, the level of violence tends to increase,” Antonijević explained.
Lessons for future elections – more dialogue, less tension
Speaking about future elections, Antonijević underlined that the key lies in changing political culture.
“Security must be guaranteed, and each of these incidents must reach a resolution… Our society has gone through many turbulences over past decades, and we must pay increased attention to everything happening today. We are setting an example for young people who voted for the first time in these 10 municipalities and cities, and I hope they will still take away something positive from this experience,” Antonijević said.
He added that it is important to restore dialogue in the public sphere. “We must return to dialogue, to the ability to talk even when we disagree,” Antonijević concluded.
Three key messages of the elections
According to Stefan Jovanović, from the Centre for International Cooperation and Sustainable Development, three clear messages can be drawn from these elections: SNS won in all municipalities, student-backed lists achieved a significant result, and political tensions will become a constant feature of future electoral cycles.
“It is good that the elections are over; it is good that what we witnessed yesterday on the streets of these 10 cities and municipalities has come to an end. Above all, it is good for the residents of those municipalities not to have to watch such scenes – it is not pleasant. There are three messages from these elections. First, SNS won in all 10 cities and municipalities where elections were held. Second, the lists supported by students achieved an excellent result. Third, every electoral cycle – this one and those to come – will be marked by very high tensions, and that is something we must get used to,” Jovanović said.
He emphasised that the government has reason to be satisfied, as despite crises and protests, it has managed to retain public support.
“They are drawing votes away from one another”
Although the opposition, particularly student groups, is recording better results than in previous electoral cycles, their key problem remains disunity.
Jovanović pointed out that there are several opposition blocs, including student lists, the People’s Movement of Serbia, and the so-called EU 5 grouping, all appealing to a similar electorate and competing with one another. This leads to a dispersion of votes, which directly benefits the ruling authorities.
He stressed that it is difficult to expect opposition unity, as these political options are in competition with one another.
“Look at Smederevska Palanka – it is interesting because it is the largest municipality where elections were held. We can interpret the results numerically, but look at the mechanics: the government ran as a unified bloc, while the students ran separately from this political grouping,” Jovanović said.
He added that within the opposition there are multiple competing factions, which complicates unification and weakens electoral performance.
“Ponoš, Đilas, ZLF, Pavle Grbović and Miki Aleksić are, in a way, political competitors both to the student opposition and to each other, drawing votes away from one another,” Jovanović explained.
Voters have not changed – the offer has
The former Vice Speaker of the National Parliament and the Minister for Human and Minority Rights, Gordana Čomić, noted that the election results do not indicate a fundamental change among voters, but rather a change in the political offer.
As she explained, there is a large number of citizens dissatisfied with the government, but who also lack trust in the opposition. Nevertheless, they still wish to vote and choose among the available options, often without much enthusiasm.
According to her, electoral success depends on how well political actors understand the needs of such voters.
Serbian diaspora: “Local election results signal changes to come”
The results of yesterday’s local elections in 10 locations across Serbia indicate changes that are on the horizon, the Serbian diaspora stated in a letter of support addressed to students and citizens in Serbia.
“You have shown courage, dignity, and the belief that change in Serbia is not only possible, but inevitable,” the letter reads, signed by more than 50 Serbian diaspora organisations worldwide.
“Thank you for your struggle, your energy, and for not giving up. This is not the end. This is the beginning. Let us move forward, together,” the letter concludes, signed by organisations from Europe, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and other parts of the world.
(Blic, Danas, RTS, N1, 30.03.2026)
https://www.danas.rs/vesti/politika/postizborna-analiza-dusana-vucicevica/
https://n1info.rs/vesti/srpska-dijaspora-rezultati-lokalnih-izbora-pokazatelj-promena-koje-dolaze/
Photo credits: Snežana Krstić, Ringier