PM seeks to tighten grip as Serbia votes
BELGRADE: Serbians went to the polls yesterday to elect a new president, with strongman Aleksandar Vucic hoping to tighten his grip on power amid opposition accusations he is shifting the country to authoritarian rule.
Vucic, the 47-year-old prime minister, is hoping to clinch more than 50% of the ballot, winning a fiveyear mandate as president outright.
Most surveys tip Vucic for an easy victory in the face of a divided opposition. But if he fails to win a majority in the first round, a second round run-off will be held on April 16.
The post of president has largely been ceremonial in recent times but analysts believe it would be a much more influential position if occupied by Vucic.
Vucic has touted economic success since becoming premier in 2014, achieving growth of 2.8% last year and cleaning up public finances.
But the average Serbian earns a mere 330 (RM1,500) per month while unemployment is running above 15%.
The opposition has been unable to field an united candidate to run against him, so Vucic faces a wide range of challengers.
There are 10 opposition candidates bidding for president, including former ombudsman Sasa Jankovic, ex-foreign minister Vuk Jeremic and ultranationalist Vojislav Seselj. And shaking up the race is Luka Maksimovic.
He campaigns in a Borat-style white suit, sports a samurai-style ponytail and hipster beard, touts a manifesto studded with lunatic pledges and uses a name that mocks politics as the circus of greed.
Using the fictional name of Ljubisa Preletacevic – nicknamed “Beli” (White) – he could even come second in the race behind Vucic, some analysts say. – AFP