- Around 6.45M voters registered for the snap election, according to the Republic Electoral Commission
- Parties differ over EU membership, relations with Russia and Kosovo, and Serbia’s political direction
Serbian voters will elect a new parliament on Sunday, with the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), a student-backed list and several opposition coalitions competing for seats.
Around 6.5 million voters are registered to elect 250 members of the National Assembly. The results will determine the distribution of parliamentary seats and which party or coalition can secure the support needed to form the next government.
The election campaign has also been marked by diplomatic tensions. Serbia has sent a protest note to Croatia over alleged interference in its domestic political affairs and election campaign, local media reported Wednesday.
The snap parliamentary election comes amid months of student-led protests and President Aleksandar Vucic’s resignation.
Vucic stepped down in late September ahead of the vote and announced his intention to seek the premiership as the SNS candidate. Having served two presidential terms, he is constitutionally barred from seeking a third.
His resignation has also triggered the process for an early presidential election, which, under Serbian law, must be held within three months.
Who are the main contenders and what are their agendas
The ruling camp, the Serbian Progressive Party, is represented by the electoral list “Aleksandar Vucic – United Serbia.” Vucic, who resigned as president in September, is seeking to return to government as prime minister.
The SNS has been the dominant force in Serbian governing coalitions since 2012. Its campaign emphasizes political stability, infrastructure development, economic growth and continued investment.
The ruling camp presents its record in government as a reason for voters to support it, highlighting economic measures and development projects.
The Student List – Students Win emerged from the protest movement that followed the November 2024 collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad, which killed 16 people.
Its campaign focuses on accountability, the rule of law and reforms intended to strengthen public institutions. Protesters have demanded investigations into the disaster, the publication of relevant documents and accountability for those responsible.
The Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), led by Ivica Dacic, has participated in successive governments, including coalitions with the SNS.
The party presents itself as a force for stability and emphasizes social protections, workers’ rights and the role of the state in economic policy.
Dacic has opposed recognizing Kosovo’s independence, imposing sanctions on Russia and joining NATO.
The European Serbia coalition, associated with opposition figures Marinika Tepic and Zdravko Ponos, advocates Serbia’s membership in the European Union.
The coalition identifies the rule of law, independent courts, and anti-corruption measures as central priorities.
The coalition has also pledged not to support a government led by the SNS or its partners, presenting the election as an opportunity to change the country’s political direction.
The Authentic Right bloc, led by Milos Jovanovic, represents a nationalist and conservative alternative.
The bloc supports cooperation with the EU but opposes full membership, arguing that Serbia should retain its political sovereignty and that accession conditions should be subject to public debate. Jovanovic has called for a referendum on EU membership.
How does the election work?
Serbia elects 250 members of the National Assembly through proportional representation. Voters choose electoral lists, and seats are allocated according to the votes received.
Most lists must win at least 3% of valid votes to qualify for seats, while lists representing national minorities are exempt from the threshold.
A party or coalition needs at least 126 seats to command a majority in parliament. If no political bloc secures a majority, parties must negotiate to form a governing coalition.
The Republic Electoral Commission has reported 6,450,523 registered voters and 8,392 polling stations. Voting arrangements also include stations abroad and in prisons.
Polling stations are scheduled to open at 7 am and close at 8 pm local time.
A further 60 polling stations have been designated in four Serbian municipalities for voters registered in Kosovo according to the Republic Electoral Commission.
The election is parliamentary, not presidential. The formation of parliament will determine which party or coalition can form the next government.
What are the main foreign policy issues?
Serbia is a candidate for European Union membership but maintains political and economic relations with Russia and China.
Belgrade has not joined Western sanctions against Moscow over the war in Ukraine. Relations with Russia remain an important domestic political issue, particularly for parties opposing sanctions and closer alignment with NATO.
Kosovo is another central issue. Serbia does not recognize Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence, and relations between Belgrade and Pristina remain a challenge for regional diplomacy and Serbia’s European integration process.
The parties differ over how closely Serbia should align with the EU, whether it should impose sanctions on Russia and how it should approach NATO.
European Serbia advocates EU membership, while the SPS opposes sanctions on Russia and NATO accession. Authentic Right opposes full EU membership.
What happens after the vote?
The election will determine which parties can form a government and whether the SNS-led governing camp retains power.
The student-backed list’s performance will indicate whether they can translate public mobilization into parliamentary representation. Smaller parties and minority representatives could also become important in coalition negotiations if the leading contenders fail to secure a majority.
The next government will face pressure to address demands for accountability and institutional reform while managing economic priorities, relations with the EU and Russia, and the unresolved issue of Kosovo.
The result will also shape Serbia’s domestic political balance and its approach to regional and international relations.
