Serbia off to polls amid pandemic

– Serbians were voting yesterday for a new parliament in Europe’s first national election since the coronavirus pandemic, though few expect major surprises with the ruling party poised to dominate a scattered opposition, some of whom are boycotting the ballot.

In power since 2012, the centre-right Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) is led by the country’s powerful president, Aleksandar Vucic, who critics accuse of budding authoritarianism.

The 50-year-old is not running for parliament himself but has fronted the campaign as the chief of his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) with the slogan: “Aleksandar Vucic – For Our Children”.

The party is tipped to garner more than 50% of the vote, according to recent polls, thanks to a weak opposition and recent successes in fighting the coronavirus outbreak.

Several of the main opposition groups are boycotting the vote altogether, decrying democratic backsliding under Vucic’s domineering governance.

A slate of other small opposition parties are still in the race, but only a handful are expected to clear the 3% threshold to enter parliament.

The biggest unknown in the election may be turnout, due to lingering fears over the virus and the boycott campaign.

In Belgrade, about 20 voters wearing face masks lined up at a polling station.

Jelena Djikanovic, a 39-yearold economist, said she was eager for change but not sympathetic to the boycott campaign.

“Boycotting is not productive when the country is adrift,” she said. “I think it is not acceptable to surrender without a fight.”

Vucic, who was previously prime minister, is riding a fresh wave of popularity after keeping the coronavirus situation under control, with some 260 deaths in a country of seven million.

Though the post of president is meant to be ceremonial, Vucic remains Serbia’s top decision-maker, leading the nation through the health emergency with frequent new announcements and TV appearances.

After bringing the first curve of infections down with tight lockdown measures, Serbia bolted out of confinement early last month – even allowing about 16 000 to gather at a recent football match.

Infections are now starting to rise again but the ballot, already delayed once by the virus in April, is going ahead with masks and gloves at polling stations.

Rallies have mostly been cancelled over virus concerns, leaving Vucic to take centre stage for several virtual gatherings

In addition to touting various infrastructure projects, he made promises such as raising salaries to €900 (R17 400) a month by 2025 – nearly double the current €500 average. – AFP