Serbien

On 17 December, snap parliamentary and local elections are taking place in Serbia, the largest country in the Western Balkans. As international pressure on the Serbian government mounts, the elections are seen as a ‘make or break’ moment. Will the elections further cement the ruling party’s grip on power or mark the beginning of a new political chapter for Serbia?

Kosovo Serbs wanting to vote in Serbia’s December parliamentary elections will have to do so in four towns in Serbia, it has been announced.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic dissolved parliament on Wednesday and called an early election on Dec. 17, aiming to cement his authority as he works out how to normalize ties with Kosovo, the main precondition for EU membership.

The country’s pro-European opposition parties reached an agreement to run together against President Aleksandar Vucic’s ruling party under the name Serbia Against Violence in elections scheduled for December 17.

MPs voted for a new law on public information and media and amendments to the law governing electronic media despite widespread criticism by watchdogs and media experts who claim the changes could boost government control over television.

President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, said that they are ready for parliamentary, provincial and Belgrade elections on December 17.

Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania responded sharply after Serbian Defence Minister Milos Vucevic said that their recognition of the independence of Kosovo will cause a harsh reaction “just like in Ukraine”.

Legal reforms in Serbia must be accompanied by the effective implementation of laws to counter dangerous rhetoric against minorities, journalists and activists, UN independent human rights expert Irene Khan said on Thursday, concluding an official visit to the country.  … However, she was also alarmed by “the toxic public discourse, … .

Protesters have demanded that President Aleksandar Vucic pull out of negotiations with Kosovo. Vucic called the protesters "anti-Serbian" and said they were funded by a foreign country.

Serbian parliamentarians came close to physical conflict with one another on Thursday as the President addressed a special session on the so-called Franco-German plan to resolve Serbia-Kosovo relations.