Serbian President Vučić Accused of Electioneering Amidst Political Maneuvering

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is facing criticism from opposition parties for allegedly dominating public media with what they describe as an "irregular election campaign." Slobodan Cvejić, vice-chief of the opposition SRCE party, accused Vučić of "usurping" public media space, which should be accessible to all citizens and political actors.

Data from the civil rights organization CRTA, which monitors media, indicates Vučić made 64 appearances on pro-government TV stations in the first 18 days of August alone. This frequency matches his previous record from March 2025, highlighting his extensive media presence.

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First the wildfires plague us, and now the media flood with the president and his satellites.

The opposition suggests Vučić's intensified campaigning stems from fear of losing power and declining poll numbers for his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), which has governed since 2012. Vučić has been actively engaging in public events, moving between marketplaces, sports halls, and TV studios throughout the summer.

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Vučić is playing with the election dates, and the opposition must always be ready.

Vučić's strategy appears to involve a return to the prime minister's office, a position he previously held from 2014 to 2017. He aims to achieve this through early parliamentary elections, which he has repeatedly hinted at. He recently stated in Serbian television that the vote would likely occur on "October 18 or 25," though the exact date has not been officially set. This tactic of announcing potential election dates without formalizing them is seen by some as a way to pressure the opposition.

The opposition, including a planned student list that has reportedly gained traction in independent polls, is under pressure from Vučić's delaying tactics. Some pro-European parties are considering withdrawing their candidacies to support the student list, while others are hesitant to commit without a confirmed election date, wary of potential media manipulation.

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Vučić has thus set a new record for himself.