Escalation of violence during local elections in Serbia

On March 29, 2026, local elections in ten Serbian municipalities were marred by escalating violence, intimidation, and systemic irregularities, casting a shadow over the voting process. The situation was particularly alarming due to the lack of police intervention against the perpetrators. Election observation missions, including the CRTA, documented numerous incidents of violence and irregularities through videos and photos, highlighting the deep flaws in the electoral process.

The elections took place in Bor, Kula, Bajina Bašta, Knjaževac, Sevojno, Kladovo, Smederevska Palanka, Aranđelovac, Lučani, and Majdanpek. Despite the troubling events, President Aleksandar Vučić declared victory for his ruling coalition across all ten municipalities. It is important to note that these were not nationwide local elections, as Serbia follows a staggered local election schedule.

TV N1 reported a high turnout in all locations, with voter participation hovering around 60 percent. Vučić emphasized that the closest electoral races were in Kula and Bor, where his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) secured comfortable margins. In several other towns, such as Kladovo, Lučani, and Smederevska Palanka, the SNS won around or above 50 percent of the vote, according to preliminary results.

In some municipalities, SNS candidates faced opposition from members of the country's student protest movement. Groups like “Students for Aranđelovac,” “United for Bajina Bašta,” and “Voice of the Youth of Kula Municipality” campaigned independently to be elected as municipal council members.

The violence and irregularities observed during the elections raised concerns about the integrity of the democratic process in Serbia. The lack of police intervention exacerbated the situation, allowing perpetrators to act with impunity. This escalation of violence during local elections underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Serbia in ensuring free and fair elections.

The election results, as declared by President Vučić, reflect the dominance of his coalition government in the affected municipalities. However, the widespread reports of violence and irregularities cast doubt on the legitimacy of these outcomes. The student protest movements, which challenged the SNS in several municipalities, may have faced significant obstacles due to the hostile electoral environment.

The situation in Serbia highlights the need for robust election monitoring and enforcement of anti-violence measures to protect the democratic process. The international community and local civil society organizations must continue to pressure the Serbian authorities to address these systemic issues and ensure that future elections are conducted fairly and peacefully.

In conclusion, the local elections in Serbia on March 29 were marked by escalating violence, intimidation, and systemic irregularities, overshadowing the voting process. Despite high turnout and President Vučić's declaration of victory for his coalition, the troubling events during the elections raise serious concerns about the state of democracy in Serbia. The lack of police intervention and the presence of student protest movements facing significant challenges underscore the urgent need for reform to ensure free and fair elections.