Local Elections in Serbia: Opposition Lacks Charisma, SNS Unbeatable?
Local elections in Serbia are scheduled for November 30, and analysts are already warning that the opposition lacks what is most needed – a charismatic leader and a clear political alternative. While protests and blockades demanding early parliamentary elections are organized across Belgrade and Serbia, the opposition continues to struggle to find the right path to victory.
Recent local elections in Zaječar and Kosjerić have shown that it is not easy to topple the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), even when the opposition has good organization and energy. SNS won 50.16% of the vote in Kosjerić, while the opposition secured 47.62%, which was not enough to form the government. In Zaječar, SNS received 48.4%, while the opposition had 33.19% and 7.40% on different lists.
Analysts emphasize that the opposition lacks something crucial – not only energy and organization but also the ability to offer clear solutions and stability. Predrag Lacmanović, executive director of the Faktor plus agency, says that blockades and harassing citizens are not politics but a message that the opposition does not offer solutions but only wants power. Citizens, according to him, fear instability the most and therefore choose the option that provides security.
Students and movements of dissatisfied citizens have initiated protests and blockades, but their mass is heterogeneous and cannot offer a unified political vision. Some analysts even criticize the nationalist tones that appeared at the Vidovdan protest, which further complicates the opposition scene.
Local elections in Negotin and Mionica, also scheduled for the end of the year, will not be as uncertain as in Kosjerić and Zaječar, as SNS has already won the majority of mandates there. Aleksandar Ivković from the Center for Contemporary Politics assesses that the opposition is practically powerless to win in these municipalities as long as SNS does not show signs of disintegration.
The upcoming elections in Serbia will be a real test for the opposition – whether they will manage to consolidate, find charismatic leaders, and offer a clear political alternative or continue to remain in the shadow of SNS, which still dominates infrastructure and organization.
If you have your opinion on who can change the political scene in Serbia or think the opposition should change tactics, drop a comment and join the discussion – because politics is not just for politicians but for all of us living in this country!
Key Numbers:
- SNS in Kosjerić: 50.16% of votes (14 mandates)
- Opposition in Kosjerić: 47.62% of votes (13 mandates)
- SNS in Zaječar: 48.4%
- Opposition in Zaječar (various lists): 33.19% and 7.40%
- Local elections in Negotin and Mionica: SNS won 38 of 45 mandates in Negotin and 35 of 39 in Mionica
Conclusion: Without a clear alternative and charismatic leaders, the opposition will struggle to overthrow SNS in local elections. Citizens seek stability, and blockades and protests are not enough to change Serbia’s political landscape.
