Escalation of violence during local elections in Serbia

April 1, 2026

Local elections held on March 29, 2026 in ten Serbian municipalities were severely compromised by widespread violence and intimidation, according to independent observers, despite President Aleksandar Vučić claiming victory for his ruling coalition across all locations. Masked attackers, allegedly including ruling party officials and members of the Russian biker group "Night Wolves," assaulted journalists, election observers, students, and ordinary citizens using weapons including axes, metal bars, and firearms. The Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA) documented that police largely failed to intervene against perpetrators, undermining basic security and democratic principles during the voting process.

Who is affected

Journalists Lazar Dinić and Ivan Bjelić from Revolt portal (severely beaten)
Photographer Zorica Popović and activist Aleksandar Kulić (attacked)
Student protest movement members and candidates in Aranđelovac, Bajina Bašta, and Kula
CRTA election observers (attacked, had mobile phones taken)
Citizens in Bor, Kula, Bajina Bašta, and other municipalities (physically attacked, intimidated)
Multiple victims with head injuries in Kula
A citizen whose arm was allegedly broken by police in Bor
Local opposition parties competing against the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS)
Voters in all ten municipalities: Bor, Kula, Bajina Bašta, Knjaževac, Sevojno, Kladovo, Smederevska Palanka, Aranđelovac, Lučani, and Majdanpek

What action is being taken

CRTA is running observation missions with approximately 300 trained volunteer observers across all electoral locations
Youth Initiative for Human Rights is demanding immediate prosecution of all attacks on journalists, observers, political actors, and citizens
Youth Initiative for Human Rights is demanding an urgent session of the Internal Affairs Committee of the National Assembly of Serbia to discuss police conduct on election day
Citizens are gathering to protest inadequate police response to violence

Why it matters

This election represents a fundamental breakdown of democratic processes and rule of law in Serbia, where state security forces failed to protect citizens, journalists, and observers from organized violence during a democratic exercise. The widespread attacks by masked groups, including foreign actors like the Russian "Night Wolves" bikers, combined with police inaction or complicity, signals that basic freedoms and electoral integrity have been severely compromised. The violence particularly targeted student-led opposition movements challenging the ruling coalition, demonstrating an environment where political competition is met with physical intimidation rather than democratic debate. The systematic nature of these attacks—occurring across multiple municipalities simultaneously—suggests coordinated efforts to undermine free and fair elections, which has profound implications for Serbia's democratic institutions and its citizens' ability to participate safely in governance.

What's next

Youth Initiative for Human Rights has demanded an urgent session of the Internal Affairs Committee of the National Assembly of Serbia to discuss police conduct on election day
Youth Initiative for Human Rights has demanded immediate prosecution of all perpetrators who attacked journalists, election observers, political actors, and citizens

Read full article from source: Global Voices