There are going to be at least partial municipal elections in Serbia. Many mayors have resigned, including that of the capital Belgrade. The decision of these mayors is a total surprise.
1 min
With our correspondent in Belgrade, Laurent Rouy
First magistrate of Belgrade, Aleksandar Sapic announced his resignation, after a wave of departures hit Serbia’s municipalities for two days. Many mayors have in fact left their positions at the request of President Vucic’s progressive party. As all municipalities are controlled by this party, it is likely that the wave of resignations will continue.
Taken by surprise, no political analyst was able to find a rational explanation for this wave of departures. Those concerned were content to say that, as the opposition was demanding elections, it was necessary to listen to it. An implausible justification.
On the other hand, President Vucic has found himself under very strong diplomatic pressure since Sunday from the United States and the European Union, who suspect involvement of the Serbian government in unprecedented violence in Kosovo. And it is possible that Vucic, accustomed to early elections, is trying to use this maneuver to strengthen his electoral base and also to gain time. Early voting should take place in mid-December.