Analyst: Opposition Better Prepared, but the Ruling Party still Leading Ahead of Local Elections 

Djordje Vukadinović/Beta/Miloš Miškov

Although the opposition had somewhat better prepared and organized for the upcoming local elections in nine local self-governments, they would still not be able to measure up to the ruling Serbian Progressive Party in terms of organizational structure and logistics, political analyst Djordje Vukadinovic said on Feb. 24. 

Speaking to Belgrade daily Danas, he said that divisions among the opposition ranks could make sense at the national level, but that in local elections, the opposition and students should run together.

“They must come together, putting aside conflicts and vanity, students and the opposition, all of them in those places. Anything else would be a clear scoring opportunity for the regime, which already has a head start over others,” Vukadinovic said. 

Serbian Parliament speaker Ana Brnabic has scheduled regular local elections for aldermen in nine local assemblies for March 29. 

Local elections will be held in Bor, Arandjelovac, Bajina Basta, Knjazevac, Kladovo, Kula, Lucani, Majdanpek, and Smederevska Palanka.