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 intervention from the police, who largely failed to act against the perpetrators. Election observation missions, including those from the Center for Representation and Trust in the Administration (CRTA), documented numerous incidents of violence and irregularities, with videos from Bor and Kula serving as stark reminders of the troubling events that unfolded.

The elections, which took place in Bor, Kula, Bajina Bašta, Knjaževac, Sevojno, Kladovo, Smederevska Palanka, Aranđelovac, Lučani, and Majdanpek, were not a nationwide round, as Serbia follows a staggered local election schedule. Despite the chaos, television reports indicated a high turnout in all locations, with voter participation hovering around 60 percent.

President Aleksandar Vučić declared victory for his ruling coalition across all ten municipalities, despite the widespread issues that plagued the elections. He highlighted that the closest electoral races were in Kula and Bor, where the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), the main player in the coalition government he leads, secured more comfortable margins in several other towns, including Kladovo, Lučani, and Smederevska Palanka. According to the preliminary results presented by Vučić, the SNS won around or above 50 percent of the vote in most municipalities.

In several districts, SNS candidates faced opposition from members of Serbia's student protest movement, such as “Students for Aranđelovac,” “United for Bajina Bašta,” and “Voice of the Youth of Kula Municipality.” In some instances, the students campaigned independently to be elected as municipal council members, challenging the ruling party's dominance.

The election observers assessed the March 29 local elections as deeply flawed, with violence, intimidation, and systemic irregularities overshadowing the vote. Despite these challenges, the high voter turnout suggests that many citizens were still motivated to participate in the democratic process. However, the lack of police intervention and the prevalence of violence raise serious concerns about the integrity of the elections and the overall state of democracy in Serbia.

The situation in Serbia highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the country in ensuring free and fair elections. The escalation of violence and the failure of law enforcement to protect voters and election observers underscore the need for significant reforms to safeguard the electoral process and uphold democratic values. As Serbia continues to navigate these complexities, the international community must closely monitor the situation and support efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and a level playing field for all political actors.