University Professor: Local Elections a Test Run for Best Opposition Tactic

Local Elections in Serbia, June 2 2024 (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV)

According to Zoran Stojiljkovic, an emeritus professor of the University of Belgrade School of Political Science, the upcoming March 29 local elections in 10 Serbian municipalities will serve as a kind of test run to determine the best tactical approach for all members of the social and political opposition.

“As soon as the polling stations close, I expect there will be three or four [municipalities] where it won’t immediately be apparent that the [ruling] Serbian Progressive Party has won, and [where] it is possible for a majority to be formed either by one side or the other, which will be illustrative of the national elections [to come],” Stojiljkovic told the NIN weekly.

Based on this, the retired professor predicts the next parliamentary elections will comprise three competing tickets: the university student ticket, a coalition of pro-European parties – both oppositional – and the current regime, which campaigns as patriotic and democratic.

“I believe a significant number of people who will support the student ticket would not be thrilled for [the students] to unite with the current opposition, which has already garnered a somewhat ‘loser’ reputation,” he said.

Stojiljkovic concluded that unless the local elections prove a unified opposition ticket fares better than two opposition tickets, the parliamentary vote will not end up being ‘referendum-like’ either, i.e. with the only two choices being the regime or united opposition.