Serbia’s ruling party set to win parliamentary election amid reports of irregularity – Europe live

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President Aleksandar Vučić’s ruling SNS party has claimed victory in Sunday’s early parliamentary election, amid concerns about widespread reports of irregularities.

Early results put the SNS – which appeared on the ballot as “Aleksandar Vučić – Serbia must not stop!” at about 46%.

An opposition alliance, Serbia Against Violence, is at about 23%.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic speaks at Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) headquarters following exit polls results of the parliamentary election in Belgrade, Serbia, December 17, 2023. Photograph: Zorana Jevtić/Reuters

Key events

Here are some pictures from yesterday’s election in Serbia.

Kosovo ethnic Serbs sit on a bus in the town of Gracanica, Kosovo December 17, 2023, on their way to vote in Serbia. Kosovo ethnic Serbs traveled by buses and cars from different parts of Kosovo to cast their vote for the Serbia's parliamentary elections in Serbia. Photograph: Valdrin Xhemaj/Reuters

A Kosovo ethnic Serb woman casts her vote at a polling station in the town of Raca, Serbia December 17, 2023. Kosovo ethnic Serbs traveled by buses and cars from different parts of Kosovo to cast their vote for the Serbia's parliamentary elections in Serbia. Photograph: Valdrin Xhemaj/Reuters

Serbian Progressive party (SNS) President Milos Vucevic (C) celebrates with party members after the Parliamentary and local elections in Belgrade, Serbia, 17 December 2023. Photograph: Andrej Čukić/EPA

Serbia holds snap parliamentary, local electionsMiroslav Aleksic speaks at "Serbia Against Violence" coalition headquarters following exit polls results of the parliamentary election in Belgrade, Serbia, December 17, 2023. — Serbia holds snap parliamentary, local elections
Miroslav Aleksic speaks at "Serbia Against Violence" coalition headquarters following exit polls results of the parliamentary election in Belgrade, Serbia, December 17, 2023. Photograph: Marko Đurica/Reuters

Serbia’s opposition is planning a protest this evening, amid allegations of irregularities in yesterday’s parliamentary and local elections.

An opposition coalition, Serbia Against Violence, had hoped to do well in the Belgrade city council election. There are now allegations that people who do not reside in the capital were transported there to vote, and the opposition says the results in Belgrade should be annulled and a repeat election held.

“It is completely clear that in Belgrade the opposition parties received more votes than the parties that have represented the government in the capital! We will defend the electoral will of the citizens!” said the Party of Freedom and Justice, part of the opposition coalition.

Pozivamo građane na protest u 18h ispred Gradske skupštine. pic.twitter.com/1F8gVrU5qn
— Stranka slobode i pravde (@SlobodaIPravda) December 18, 2023

President Aleksandar Vučić’s ruling SNS party has claimed victory in Sunday’s early parliamentary election, amid concerns about widespread reports of irregularities.

Early results put the SNS – which appeared on the ballot as “Aleksandar Vučić – Serbia must not stop!” at about 46%.

An opposition alliance, Serbia Against Violence, is at about 23%.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic speaks at Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) headquarters following exit polls results of the parliamentary election in Belgrade, Serbia, December 17, 2023. Photograph: Zorana Jevtić/Reuters

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