BELGRADE — Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić looks set to tighten his grip on power — with early exit polling suggesting a sweeping election win for his ruling party — although his government is facing accusations of major irregularities over the course of Sunday’s vote.
Speaking at the headquarters of Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), Prime Minister Ana Brnabić said the ruling party was on course to win 47 percent of the vote, and predicted that the SNS would be able to form a coalition with a parliamentary majority. This was than twice the support of the united opposition group — Serbians Against Violence — on 23 percent, she said.
“Thank you to everyone, from the depths of my heart, for understanding the seriousness of this moment … but above all, thank you to President Aleksandar Vučić who led our list, who allowed us to use his name,” she added.
While Vučić hoped the snap election would confirm his near total control of the EU candidate country, he now looks set to have to defend himself against charges of major irregularities and intimidation.
Election observers sounded the alarm over potential widespread election fraud, including an attack against them in a northern city. There were also reports by observers of bused-in voters engaging in “carousel voting” — with groups taken to numerous polling stations with ballots already filled in.
These concerns only compounded long-running complaints about an inflated electoral roll, in which many “phantom voters” including dead citizens were registered.
After inviting “everyone to the celebration,” Brnabić gave short shrift to the fraud accusations. Holding up printouts of articles and tweets from independent outlets during the day, she dismissed the alleged irregularities as lies.
