Serbia’s Zajecar and Kosjeric elections signal a shifting political balance

Local elections in Zajecar and Kosjeric on 8 June exposed a rapidly narrowing gap between Serbia’s ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), led by President Aleksandar Vucic, and a revitalised opposition. These elections, a critical gauge of the SNS’s hold on power amid sustained anti-corruption protests, underscored both the regime’s tenacity and the opposition’s rising strength.

Despite pervasive allegations of electoral misconduct, the results signal a fiercely competitive political landscape, foreshadowing turbulent months ahead for Serbia.

Nonetheless, the regime can be happy with the results, too – both because its popularity has not decreased too much and because it is obviously still able to secure
sufficient votes for a win, of course with the unpermitted methods it has been known for in the past.

Kosjeric: A razor-thin margin

In the small western town of Kosjeric, an extraordinary 84.17% voter turnout reflected the intensity of the campaign. Only three tickets competed, with the minority Russian Party failing to surpass the electoral threshold. Ruska stranka (RS) is a political party in Serbia primarily representing the Russian minority in the country, though it also attracts a significant number of pro-Russian Serbian citizens.

According to the Republic Electoral Commission, the SNS coalition secured 3,686 votes (49.23%), edging out the united opposition ticket – supported by student activists – with 3,635 votes (48.54%), a difference of just 51 votes. This translates to 14 seats for the SNS and 13 for the opposition in the Kosjeric Assembly.

Compared to the December 2023 general election, the SNS held steady, while the opposition, unified and energised by grassroots mobilisation, boosted its vote share by roughly 45%. The binary, referendum-like contest, with only two viable tickets, amplified voter engagement, as did the opposition’s vigorous door-to-door and community-based efforts.

Zajecar: SNS maintains control

In Zajecar, a 63.75% turnout signaled strong civic participation. The SNS ticket captured 11,498 votes (48.4%), while two opposition tickets together garnered 9,717 votes (40.6%). The Socialist Party of Serbia also cleared the threshold with 722 votes (3.02%), resulting in 28 seats for the ruling coalition and 22 for the opposition in the Zajecar Assembly.

The SNS experienced a 10% vote decline from December 2023, partly due to a separate ticket led by SNS MP Dr. Nenad Ristovic failing to qualify. Conversely, the opposition’s combined vote share surged by 30% compared to the prior election. Meanwhile, the “We – the Power of the People” movement, led by Dr. Branimir Nestorovic, saw its support collapse from 1,254 votes (5.07%) in December 2023 to 455 votes (1.9%) in June 2025.

Electoral irregularities: A persistent challenge

Allegations of widespread irregularities, including vote buying, voter intimidation, and manipulation, cast a shadow over both elections. The opposition has rejected the official results, citing numerous violations and vowing to challenge outcomes at problematic polling stations. Legal challenges could reshape the results, especially in Kosjeric, where the margin is minuscule.

The Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA) documented irregularities at 86% of Zajecar’s polling stations and 55% of Kosjeric’s, with severe violations in Zajecar affecting 19% of stations. CRTA deemed the elections neither free nor fair, particularly in Zajecar, where the results failed to reflect voters’ true preferences. A troubling development was the role of pro-government observation groups, such as the Center for European Values and the Institute for European Freedoms, which reportedly interfered with electoral committees, breaching observation protocols at 70% of Kosjeric’s polling stations and 40% in Zajecar.

Opposition’s grassroots momentum

The opposition’s gains were fueled by an unprecedented grassroots campaign, particularly in Kosjeric. Teams of activists, students, bikers, and war veterans formed “patrols” to counter SNS tactics, curbing voter manipulation and exposing irregularities. Months of anti-corruption protests, led largely by students, galvanized public interest and boosted turnout. In Kosjeric, the opposition’s unified front proved a model for success, highlighting the power of coordinated, community-driven efforts.

The SNS can claim a tactical victory, retaining control in both towns despite fierce opposition and public discontent. Yet, the narrow margin in Kosjeric – achieved despite substantial investments in infrastructure, political marketing, and alleged voter coercion – reveals cracks in the regime’s armor. Observers estimate the SNS spent millions of euros, yet it nearly lost Kosjeric by a mere 51 votes.

The opposition, however, emerges with renewed confidence. Its vote gains – 45% in Kosjeric and 30% in Zajecar compared to December 2023 – position it as a formidable challenger to Vucic’s dominance. The high turnout and effective grassroots strategy demonstrate growing public support, eroding the SNS’s once-unassailable grip on smaller towns.

A pivotal moment for Serbia

The near-parity in Zajecar and Kosjeric signals a shifting political balance, with the opposition now a credible threat to the SNS at the national level. The success of a united opposition, backed by students and civic groups, underscores the potency of collective action. For Vucic, the results may deter a snap general election, as demanded by protesters, given the SNS’s diminished dominance in traditional strongholds.

As legal battles and public scrutiny intensify, the 8 June elections mark a critical inflection point. The opposition’s surge, coupled with persistent allegations of electoral misconduct, raises questions about the legitimacy of Vucic’s government. With both sides claiming victories – tactical for the SNS, moral for the opposition – Serbia’s political arena is braced for a contentious future.

Edited by a.k.

Caption: Effigies representing protesters’ demands are paraded during the student-led rally in Belgrade, Serbia, 15 March 2025. University students staged a protest, demanding accountability after fifteen people lost their lives in the collapse of the Novi Sad Railway Station canopy in November 2024. The station building, which had been renovated and reopened in July 2024, was undergoing further renovations shortly before the collapse. [EPA/ANDREJ CUKIC]