Serbia's Pro-Democracy Movement Holds Rally Ahead Of Election

Thousands of supporters of a Serbian pro-democracy movement participated in a nighttime rally in Belgrade's city center on December 14. The event organizers -- the ProGlas initiative -- aim to increase the number of citizens taking part in the country's upcoming elections that will be held on December 17.
 

According to the official electoral list, there are some 6.5 million eligible voters in Serbia.

Recent polls show that the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) is leading nationwide. It's the party of the country's longtime leader, President Aleksandar Vucic.

People used their mobile phones to shine a light during the rally.

 

People gathered to hear speeches during the rally.

Vucic has been in power since 2014, first as prime minister and then as president. In presidential and parliamentary elections in April 2022, Vucic's party won 60 percent of the vote, with the incumbent himself winning a new five-year term as president.

Along with parliamentary elections, Serbian citizens will cast ballots in 65 municipalities, including the capital of Belgrade, where a recent poll forecasts what would be a rare win for the opposition.

International observers have noted that the campaign for local and regional elections was "highly polarized" and marked by "unprecedented" fearmongering and attacks on the opposition.

 

These elections are likely to be more of a challenge for Vucic, with the main pro-European opposition parties forming a new coalition, Serbia Against Violence. That was the slogan of the protesters who took to the streets of Serbia this summer, following two mass shootings in May that killed 19 people, including 10 in a school.

A couple embrace during the rally.

After the two mass shootings and in line with previous pledges, Vucic quit as chairman of the SNS, handing the post to Milos Vucevic, his closest ally and the outgoing defense minister, but he retains decisive control over party policies.