Local elections held in Zaječar and Kosjerić represent an important political event in Serbia, the first after months of protests and socio-political crisis. Voter turnout was surprisingly high, attributed to the mobilization of all resources during the campaign. The results caused polarization: the ruling party declared victory, while the opposition in Kosjerić does not recognize the results. Analysts note there is no absolute winner, with legal proceedings and possible repeat elections expected. The role of students as a driving force behind opposition activities is significant, although they did not directly participate in the elections. The elections serve as a test for both opposition and ruling parties, with potential impact on Serbia’s political landscape.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the high voter turnout as a sign of political engagement and the importance of the elections as a test for the opposition’s ability to unite and challenge the ruling party. They highlight the role of students and civil society in pushing for democratic change and criticize the ruling party’s attempts to delegitimize opposition efforts.
Center: Centrist sources report the elections factually, noting the high turnout and the contested results between the ruling party and opposition. They focus on the legal processes expected to follow and the political implications for local governance and national politics, without strong bias towards either side.
Right: Right-leaning media stress the victory of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and portray the opposition’s refusal to accept results as destabilizing. They highlight the ruling party’s organizational strength and warn against attempts to undermine the electoral process, framing the elections as a validation of the current government’s legitimacy.