Election date speculation is a distraction tactic, says journalist Riha

Journalist Antonela Riha asserts that speculation surrounding election dates is a deliberate tactic by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to divert attention from more critical issues. She believes this constant discussion about when elections will occur serves as a distraction, exhausting both citizens and the opposition.

"We have been dealing with when the elections will be for months; this is a bone that Vučić throws, and then all other topics that seem much more important to me and that would be good election topics are neglected," Riha told N1. She emphasized that mobilizing election monitors and ensuring the integrity of the upcoming elections are far more crucial than the exact date.

Riha also addressed the proposed introduction of new voting screens by the Republic Electoral Commission (RIK), expressing skepticism that this measure alone would improve the process. She reiterated that the focus should be on election monitors. Furthermore, she urged parties to return to substantive campaign themes such as corruption, the lack of functioning institutions, and state-sponsored media violence, suggesting that each party should identify five key issues for their campaign, offering solutions rather than just criticism.

Regarding the political dynamics between Ivica Dačić and Aleksandar Vučić, Riha described their relationship as a long-standing one. She noted that the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) has previously contested elections independently, and their current strategy of potentially running separately is likely a calculation to gain more votes. Riha suggested that some SPS voters may not be inclined to support the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), leading to the SPS's decision to run alone again. She also raised questions about the evacuation of residents from Deliblatska Peščara during a fire, noting that firefighters allowed some residents to remain, raising concerns about smoke inhalation.

“

We have been dealing with when the elections will be for months; this is a bone that Vučić throws, and then all other topics that seem much more important to me and that would be good election topics are neglected.