Nebojša Stefanović's Quiet Return Before Elections: 'Vučić Knows His Team Is Performing Poorly'

Nebojša Stefanović, once a powerful figure in Serbian politics, has made a quiet return to the political stage after an absence of nearly four years. His reappearance on July 31, 2026, at a Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) main board meeting has surprised many. Analysts Dragomir Anđelković and Marko Vujić suggest this move by President Aleksandar Vučić is a strategic attempt to rally his party ahead of crucial elections, leveraging Stefanović's remaining loyalists within the SNS. Stefanović's previous departure from the political scene was tumultuous, marked by accusations of wiretapping, alleged collaboration with criminal clans, and a perceived "betrayal" reminiscent of crime soap operas. His fall from grace was amplified by pro-government media, which portrayed him as an antagonist, signaling a significant loss of support and power. The narrative at the time suggested a permanent severance of ties, making his current presence at an SNS gathering particularly noteworthy. Despite his past controversies, Stefanović remains listed as a member of the SNS Presidency, both on his official Instagram account and the party's website. His journey in politics began in the 1990s with the Serbian Radical Party, eventually rising to prominent roles as Speaker of Parliament, Minister of Interior, and Minister of Defense after the SNS came to power. His tenure as Interior Minister was particularly notable, though marred by scandals, including allegations of diploma forgery and his father's alleged involvement in arms deals. The turning point appears to have been in early 2021 when Vučić revealed he had been wiretapped, leading to media speculation about Stefanović's responsibility and a subsequent internal party push for his removal from key positions in May 2021.