Amid Claims Of Fraud Serbia's Ruling Party Has Said It Won The Country's Snap Parliamentary Election

 

Euronews: Serbia's ruling populists claim sweeping election victory  

Near-final results show that President Aleksandar Vucic won 47% of the vote, despite the opposition claims of voter-bullying and bribes. 

An early official vote count appears to confirm Serbia’s governing populists’ claims of a sweeping victory in the Sunday election, despite the complaints of the opposition. 

The party of President Aleksandar Vucic, the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), won some 47% of the ballots in the parliamentary vote, followed by Serbia Against Violence with 23%, according to a near-complete preliminary tally by the state election commission. If confirmed, this result would land the party around 130 seats in the 250-member assembly, giving SNS an absolute majority and the ability to form a government on its own.  

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WNU Editor: Serbia's opposition leaders feel betrayed by the EU (see below).

Pro-Western, democracy activists in Serbia said they feel betrayed by the EU for failing to act to prevent or punish the autocratic turn of President Aleksandar Vučić’s government.https://t.co/nwTEO77b2L

— euronews (@euronews) December 13, 2023

Amid Claims Of Fraud Serbia's Ruling Party Has Said It Won The Country's Snap Parliamentary Election

Serbia’s opposition takes to the streets claiming election fraud in Sunday’s vote -- AP  

Vučić tightens grip in Serbian election marred by fraud claims -- Politico 

Serbia’s elections held under ‘unjust conditions’, say international observers -- The Guardian

Serbia's President Says 'Everyone Is Preparing For War'

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic attends the IDEX 2023 in Abu Dhabi, February 21, 2023. © Serbian Defense Ministry  

RT: Serbia warns ‘everyone is preparing for war’  

Belgrade says it is profiting from the arms and ammunition race, but is worried about NATO encirclement 

Serbia’s military industry has ramped up production of weapons and ammunition to keep up with skyrocketing demand driven by the conflict in Ukraine, President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday. Visiting the IDEX weapons fair in UAE, Vucic said the world is preparing for war. “Everyone needs ammunition. 

Everyone is buying everything, anything we can make gets sold,” Vucic said. “I don’t know how some of this stuff hasn’t ended up on the battlefields of Ukraine yet.” 

Demand for things like rockets for ‘Grad’ multiple launcher systems has gone up by 70%, the Serbian president added, noting that Belgrade is looking to expand some of its ammunition production, since it’s all spoken for. 

“Ammunition is selling like hotcakes,” Vucic said. 

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WNU Editor: The Serbian President is correct. He is at the IDEX weapons fair in UAE, and he is seeing first hand on how hot the arms market is.  

Update: Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is also probably correct about this .... Vucic announced serious changes in the special operation zone in coming three days (SB.BY).

Serbia President Vucic Warns Of Food And Energy Shortages In 2023 Due To Russian Sanctions

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic 

RT: Serbia issues grim prediction for 2023  

President Aleksandar Vucic has warned of food and energy shortages due to anti-Russia sanctions 

The US, EU and China face serious economic struggles in 2023, which is shaping up to be more difficult than the previous year, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic warned on Wednesday. 

Belgrade is trying to stock up on basic food supplies, as the world is likely to face shortages soon, he added. “I expect 2023 to be much more difficult than 2022,” Vucic told reporters in Belgrade. 

The US federal reserve has raised interest rates, “China’s growth rate has slowed, the EU is approaching a recession,” he added. “We’re a part of that chain, so that will impact us as well.”

Serbia has taken precautions to stock up on natural gas and coal, and should have some left over by the spring, Vucic said, but he is working with Hungary to “secure supplies right away for the next winter, which will be worse.”  

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WNU Editor: Serbia is not the only country stocking up on food and commodities .... China stockpiling food at historically high levels (Investment Watch).

Serbian President Vucic Warns Of Imminent Global War In A Couple Of Months

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic

Anadolu Agency: Serbian president warns of looming threat of global conflict like WWII 

Further complications likely in Russia and China's relations with the West, says Aleksandar Vucic In a month or two, the world could enter a conflict of a magnitude not seen since World War II, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday. 

In an interview with Serbian public broadcaster Radio Television of Serbia, Vucic said the conflict in Ukraine could be “approaching a major war.” 

“I assume that from the phase of a special military operation we are approaching a major war, and now the question is where are the borders and whether we will go after some time, maybe in a month or two, into a major world conflict the likes of which we haven’t had since World War II,” he said.  

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Serbian President Vucic Warns Of Imminent Global War In A Couple Of Months  

Serbian leader warns of imminent global war -- RT  

World running risk of sliding into global-scale conflict in couple of months — Vucic -- TASS  

Serbian leader warns of imminent global war — Analysis -- MASSNews  

Vučić: worst winter in Europe since 1945 expected -- SB.BY

Serbian President Says The World Is Already In A World War With The Entire Western World Fighting Russia Via Ukraine

Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic  

IBTimes: Putin Ally Confirms Russia's ‘World War’ With Western World: ‘It's A Global Conflict’ 

* Vucic made the comments during an interview with the Serbian TV channel Pink 

* Serbia is one of the few countries that have yet to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine 

* Serbia did vote in favor of a UN resolution calling for the end of the war in Ukraine 

Russian President Vladimir Putin is in a "world war" with the West as he continues his invasion of Ukraine, an ally said Wednesday. In an interview with independent Serbian TV Channel Pink, Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic, who has yet to condemn Putin for invading Ukraine, accused the West of sparking a "war" against Russia through the Ukrainian people. "We should understand that amid the world war, all the talks that it’s a regional or a local war must be dropped. The entire Western world is fighting against Russia via Ukrainians. It is [a] global conflict," Vucic said, according to Russia’s state-run news agency TASS.  

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WNU Editor: He is right.

Serbian President Says The World Is Already In A World War With The Entire Western World Fighting Russia Via Ukraine  

Russia in 'World War' With Western Nations, Putin Ally Says -- Newsweek  

Ukraine conflict is already a world war – Serbia -- RT  

Serbian leader says conflict in Ukraine is world war where West is fighting against Russia -- TASS

Serbia’s President Vucic On Track To Easily Win A Second Term

 

RFE: Projections Give Vucic And His SNS Party Big Victories In Serbian Elections  

BELGRADE -- Incumbent Aleksandar Vucic is set to win Serbia’s presidential vote and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) appears in line to win the most votes in parliamentary elections, according to post-vote projections. 

The National Electoral Commission said it will not announce preliminary results or hold a news conference on election night, April 3. 

This is the first time that the highest electoral body has not announced the results on the evening of an election day. 

The deadline for announcing the final results is April 7.  

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WNU Editor: The official results will be made public in the coming days. 

Serbia’s President Vucic On Track To Easily Win A Second Term  

Projections point to victory for Serbia’s populist president -- AP

Serbia's incumbent President Vucic declares election victory -- France 24 

Serbia: Vucic projected to win presidential election -- DW  

Serbia president projected to win second term -- BBC  

Serbia’s president Vucic on track to win second term -- The Hill

Belgrade Protesters Storm The Serbian Parliament Over Coronavirus Lockdown Measures

The Guardian: Violence at Belgrade protest over renewed lockdown measures

Protesters clash with police in Serbian capital after weekend curfew announced.

Protesters and police clashed violently in Belgrade on Tuesday evening amid anger over the return of strict lockdown measures to tackle coronavirus. Earlier on Tuesday a weekend curfew was announced after a rise in Covid-19 cases in Serbia and across the western Balkans.

A group of protesters stormed the parliament in Belgrade, and police responded with teargas and a show of force. A police spokesperson said protesters threw rocks, bottles and other objects at officers and set five police vehicles on fire. Police said 23 people were detained and 43 police officers were injured. Seventeen demonstrators also sustained injuries.

On Tuesday Serbia recorded 13 more coronavirus deaths, its highest daily toll to date, as well as 299 newly recorded infections.

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More News On Belgrade Protesters Storming The Serbian Parliament Over Coronavirus Lockdown Measures

Coronavirus: Belgrade protesters storm Serb parliament over curfew -- BBC
Serbs storm parliament after virus lockdown announced -- AP
Serbian president appeals to protesters after dozens hurt in Belgrade clashes -- Reuters
Violent clashes erupt in Serbia after new coronavirus curfew announced -- FOX News
Serbia Rocked by Violent Clashes Around Parliament -- Balkan Insight

Serbia President’s Party Scores Landslide in Election Boycotted by Opposition

Politico: Serbian ruling party wins by landslide in Europe’s first Covid-19 election

Exit polls show comfortable victory for President Aleksandar Vučić ahead of a trip to Washington.

BELGRADE — Serbia's ruling Progressive Party won a resounding victory in a parliamentary election on Sunday, exit polls show, in Europe's first national election as coronavirus lockdowns start to ease.

“We won everywhere,” said Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, a co-founder and the leader of the party, at a press conference. “Tonight, we gained the huge trust of the people, the greatest ever in Serbia.”

The Progressive Party is projected to have won about 63 percent of the vote, according to exit polls by the Center for Free Elections and Democracy (CeSID), and over 180 seats in the 250-strong parliament — an increase from the 131 seats it had in the previous legislature.

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More News On Yesterday's Elections In Serbia

Ruling populist party claims landslide win in Serbia vote -- AP
Serbia's ruling conservatives claim landslide win in boycott-tainted vote -- France 24
Serbia President’s Party Scores Landslide in Election Boycotted by Opposition -- Balkan Insight
Ruling conservatives claim victory in Serbian parliamentary vote -- Euractiv
Election landslide boosts Serbia's president before Kosovo talks -- Irish Times
Serbia’s ruling party claims election win -- Al Jazeera

Serbs Head To The Polls On Sunday To Elect A New Government

Reuters: Serbians head to polls in Europe's first post-lockdown election

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbians go to polls on Sunday to elect a new parliament in Europe’s first national election since coronavirus lockdowns took effect some three months ago, with the ruling conservatives seen winning a comfortable majority.

Polling stations will be equipped with face masks and hand sanitisers for the use of the country’s 5.5 million voters, many of whom are expected to skip voting - partly due to fears of becoming infected.

Turnout could also be hit by the boycott campaign of some opposition parties, who say the vote will not be free or fair due to President Aleksandar Vucic’s firm grip over the media.

According to the latest opinion polls, Vucic’s conservative Serbian Peoples’ Party (SNS) is set to garner about 50% of the vote, boosted by widespread public approval over the government’s handling of the pandemic.

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WNU Editor: The result is a foregone conclusion. The opposition parties are boycotting the election.

More News On Serbia's Election

Serbia election: Opposition scorns 'hoax' vote in EU candidate state -- BBC
Serbs to vote amid virus concerns, political divisions -- AP
Serbia’s ruling party certain to win first post-COVID elections - Euractiv
Serbia elections: Who's left besides Vucic? -- DW

Serbia Faces U.S. Sanctions Over Russian Arms Deal

A Russian Pantsir-S air defense missile-gun system during the final stage of the Keys to the Sky competition among air defense missile units at Ashuluk Firing Range, August 7, 2016. Image: Sergei Bobylev/Russian MoD/Tass

Defence Post: US cautions Serbia against acquiring ‘significant Russian military systems’

Warning comes after Russia deployed S-400 and Pantsir-S air defense systems to Serbia for drills

A U.S. State Department official has expressed concern about Serbia’s interest in Russian air defense systems, warning Belgrade to be “careful and cautious” about buying them, in comments to North Macedonia television.

“We do of course have concerns not just about deployment of Russian military equipment on the territory of Serbia, but the possibility of Serbia acquiring significant Russian military systems,” Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Palmer told the Elsat television channel, in an interview that aired late on Friday, November 8.

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WNU Editor: Serbia is feeling the pressure. My gut tells me that they will be dropping their request to buy Russia's Pantsir-S air defense system in the coming weeks.

More News On Serbia Facing U.S. Sanctions Over Russian Arms Deal

US mulling sanctions against Serbia over Russia arms deals -- AP
Serbia faces risk of U.S. sanctions over Russian arms deal -- Reuters
US Threatens Sanctions On Serbia, Scrambles To Thwart Possible S-400 Purchase -- Zero Hedge

For The Fourth Saturday In The Row, Thousands March Against The Serbian President

Thousands of protesters march through central Belgrade on Saturday for the fourth rally. Photo: BIRN.

Balkan Insight: Protesters Pile More Pressure on Serbian President

Tens of thousands of protesters marched again through the streets of Belgrade on Saturday, voicing anger at President Aleksandar Vucic and calling on him to fire the Interior Minister.

For the fourth Saturday in the row, anti-government protesters gathered in the Serbian capital Belgrade to raise their voice against political violence, thus demanding resignations of officials as well.

Columns of people marched near or past most of the major institutions, including parliament, government buildings, but also the public broadcaster, RTS.

Protester carried banners, some of them reading: “Your time will end” and “It has started”, while blowing whistles.

Among the crowd of protesters in Belgrade, people raise their fists in a sign of support for Davor Dragicevic, who has been leading daily “Justice for David” rallies in Bosnia after his son was killed in March.

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Update: Thousands protest against Serbian president (Reuters)

WNU Editor: These protests are not going to end anytime soon, but Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic does have a lot of support.

Serbia’s Prime Minister, Aleksandar Vučić, Has Won By A Landslide The Country's Presidential Election

The Guardian: Serbian PM elected president as EU warns over increased powers

Aleksandar Vučić’s landslide win tightens his rule in country where his Serbian Progressive party dominates parliament

Serbia’s prime minister, Aleksandar Vučić, has won by a landslide in the country’s presidential election, further strengthening his rule in the Balkan country.

The state election commission said after counting 91% of ballots that Vučić won 55% of votes, followed by the liberal candidate Saša Janković with 16%, and Luka Maksimović, a parody politician, with 9%.

The triumph in Sunday’s ballot is a major boost for Vučić, who is expected to further tighten his already firm grip on power in Serbia. Vučić’s Serbian Progressive party (SNS) also dominates parliament.

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More News On Serbia's Presidential Election

Official results confirm Serbia PM Vucic elected president -- AP
Serbia elects Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic as president -- BBC
Serbia's Vucic Sweeps to Presidency in 1st Round -- VOA
Serbia's Vucic Claims 'Crystal Clear' Victory -- RFE
Vucic elected Serbia's new president in first round -- B92
Serbia election: EU and Russia congratulate Vucic for landslide win -- The Irish Times
Experts react: Aleksandar Vučić wins Serbia’s presidential election -- LSE

Serbia's President Apologizes For The Srebrenica Massacre

Serbian President Apologises For Srebrenica 'Crime' -- BBC

Serbia's President, Tomislav Nikolic, has apologised for all "crimes" committed by Serbs during the break-up of Yugoslavia, including Srebrenica.

But he refused to call the killing of thousands of Bosnian Muslims an act of genocide, as recognised by UN war crimes prosecutors.

Mr Nikolic said he was kneeling down and seeking forgiveness for Srebrenica.

The president is a former senior figure in the ultra-nationalist Serbian Radical Party.

He was criticised after his election last year when he said: "There was no genocide in Srebrenica."

Some 8,000 Bosnian Muslims were killed at Srebrenica in 1995 after Bosnian Serb forces overran the UN-defended safe area there.

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More News On Serbia's President Apologizing For The Srebrenica Massacre

Serb president seeks pardon "on my knees" for Srebrenica -- Reuters
Serbia president apologises for Srebrenica massacre -- Global Post/AFP
Serbia president apologizes for Srebrenica massacre -- Global Post
Serb Leader Apologizes for Srebrenica Massacre in TV Interview -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Serbian president in historic Srebrenica massacre apology -- The Telegraph
Serbia's president apologizes for 1995 Srebrenica massacre -- Deutsche Welle
Serbian President Apologizes For Srebrenica Massacre -- Radio Free Europe
Serbian president apologizes for crimes in Bosnia -- B92

Did The Mafia In Serbia Plotted To Crash Serbian Air Force One

Falcon 50 aircraft (Image from jetphotos.net)

Mafia Plotting To Crash Serbian Air Force One – Interior Ministry -- RT

Mafia-linked criminal gangs have been trying to sabotage a Serbian government aircraft with the country's top officials on board, Serbia's Interior Ministry announced.

­A special investigation has produced evidence that the mafia is planning to hire staff among the aircraft's maintenance personnel to set up a malfunction in the plane in the hopes of it crashing after takeoff. The aim of the mission, investigators believe, is to take out top government officials during an international trip.

The Serbian government employs two planes – a Falcon 50, made in 1981, and a Learjet 31A manufactured in 1991. The Falcon 50 remains the main choice of air travel for the head of state. In recent years, both aircraft repeatedly suffered minor and major faults that sometimes led to the disruption of Serbian leaders' foreign visits.

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More News On Reports That The Serbian Mafia Plotted To Assassinate Key Leaders In Serbia

Serbia says it uncovers plot to bring down government plane -- Reuters
Serbian police: Criminals want to bring down government plane -- AP
Serbia says it thwarted mafia plot to bring down government jet -- EurActiv
Serbia Uncovers Plot To Down PM’s Plane -- Eurasia Review
Who planned an attempt on the life of first state official of Serbia? -- Jovana Vukotic and Grigory Sokolov, Voice of Russia

Goran Hadzic, Serbia's Last Remaining War Criminal

Goran Hadzic's 'warrant poster' for persons indicted by the ICTY for war crime Photo: AFP/GETTY

After Ratko Mladic Arrest, Attention Turns To Goran Hadzic, Serbia's Last Remaining War Criminal -- The Telegraph

With the arrest of Ratko Mladic, Serbia is now under pressure to capture one last remaining alleged war criminal – Goran Hadzic.

Hadzic, 52, is accused of the "extermination or murder" of hundreds of Croat civilians and the forcible deportation of around 28,000 Croats and other non-Serbs in Croatia during the 1991-1995 war there.

He faces 14 counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the imprisonment of civilians in detention centres where they were subjected to torture, beatings and murder.

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My Comment: He has not been seen or heard from since 1994. For all that we know .... he may be dead.

Serb Nationalists Stage Massive Rally In Belgrade

A protester waves his Serbian flag during a rally in front of Serbian parliament building in Belgrade February 5, 2011. Reuters/Marko Djurica

Mass Protest In Serbian Capital To Demand Early Polls -- BBC

The Serbian capital Belgrade has seen its biggest anti-government protest in years as thousands of disenchanted Serbs demanded early elections.

At least 55,000 people turned out in front of parliament after the opposition Serbian Progressive Party called the rally.

Party leader Tomislav Nikolic gave the government two months to call polls or face a civil disobedience campaign.

Serbia's economic woes have continued as it moves towards EU membership.

There is rising discontent over high prices, low salaries and a stalled economy.

A disparate 10-party coalition, united around EU integration, has been in power since 2008, led by Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and President Boris Tadic.

The next general election is not scheduled until 2012.

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More News On Today's Massive Demonstrations In Serbia

Serbia Nationalist Opposition Holds Anti-Government Rally -- Voice of America
Serbia holds biggest opposition protest in years -- Reuters
Mass anti-government rally held in Serbia -- SF Chronicle/AP
Serbian opposition rally calls for early elections -- Deutsche Welle
Tens of thousands in Serbian opposition protest -- AFP
Serbian Opposition Rallies in Belgrade, Demands Early Elections -- Blooomberg
Opposition gives govt. "2 months to call elections" -- B92

My Comment: Serbia's economic downturn has hit all major sectors of the economy. People are frustrated, worried, and bitter .... hence today's demonstrations.

Europe's #1 War Criminal Now Has A $10 Million Euro Bounty On His Head

Serbia Multiplies Reward For Indicted War Criminal Mladic -- Deutsche Welle

Serbia has greatly increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of indicted war criminal Ratko Mladic. Arresting Mladic is a crucial condition for Serbia's bid to join the European Union.

Serbia increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of Ratko Mladic tenfold to 10 million euros ($13.7 million), apparently to prove Belgrade's political will to capture the indicted war criminal.

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More News On the Hunt For War Criminal Mladic

Serbia offers 10m euros for Mladic capture -- BBC
Serbia offers $14m for Mladic: Reward for capture of former Bosnian Serb commander wanted for war crimes increased tenfold. -- Al Jazeera
Serbia raises reward for Mladic to 10 million euros -- Reuters
Serbia ups price for Mladic capture to 10 mln euros -- AFP
10 Million Bounty On Mladic -- Times Of The Internet
Bounty hunters, too in search of war crimes suspects -- Blic

My Comment: If they cannot find this war criminal in the heart of Europe, what chance do we have of capturing someone like Osama Bin Laden in the inhospitable and hostile regions along the Afghan/Pakistan border.

Serbia Is Coming To Terms With It's Past

More than 600 coffins with remains of victims of Srebrenica massacre wait for the funeral in a factory hall in Potocari. Photo: Reuters

Serbia Condemns 1995 Srebrenica Massacre Of 8,000 Muslim Men And Boys -- Times Online

Serbia took a significant step towards a future in the European Union when its MPs last night endorsed a landmark declaration condemning the massacre of 8,000 Muslims at Srebrenica in 1995.

While stopping short of using the term genocide, the statement recognised that Serbia failed to prevent the killings carried out by its forces after seizing the UN safe haven in the ethnic conflict that followed the break-up of Yugoslavia.

The declaration was driven by Boris Tadic, Serbia’s pro-EU President but opposed by nationalists who warned it would “turn Serbia into an eternal villain”.

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My Comment: The focus is on Serbia, but the Croats and Bosnian Muslims also committed atrocities and mass murder in the Yugoslav civil war.

Realistically .... it is going to take decades (if not a century or two) before the bitterness and hate that was generated by this war dissipates .... but willing to atone is a start and Serbia is rightfully making the first move.