As Serbia approaches a general election scheduled for Sunday, nationalist identity politics remains a dominating force in the country’s political landscape. Incumbent leader Aleksandar Vucic, a central figure in Serbian politics since 2012, has leveraged nationalist sentiment to consolidate his position amid growing opposition and widespread protests.
Vucic resigned as president last month to lead the election campaign of the Serbian Progressive Party, running under the rebranded banner “Aleksandar Vucic — United Serbia.” His party is widely expected to secure victory, despite allegations of an uneven playing field and potential electoral fraud. If successful, Vucic will resume the role of prime minister, extending his influence over Serbia’s political trajectory.
A key theme in the campaign has been the contentious legacy of Ratko Mladic, the Serb general convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity for his role in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre during the Bosnian war. Mladic, who died in The Hague in August, is viewed by many Serbs as a defender of their national identity rather than a criminal, a perspective Mr. Vucic’s camp has exploited to rally nationalist support. Despite Mladic’s conviction, he was buried with military honors in Belgrade in September, underscoring the tension between legal judgments and popular sentiment.
The opposition includes a group known as the Student List — Students Win, formed by activists who emerged from ongoing protests spurred by public dissatisfaction, including outrage over a deadly infrastructure failure earlier in 2024. Though the list includes no students, it has gained support suggesting a close contest with Vucic’s party. However, student candidates have faced accusations from pro-government media outlets labeling them as unpatriotic or traitorous, particularly for their acknowledgement of Mladic’s crimes and willingness to confront sensitive national issues. The Student List also positions itself against European Union pressure to impose sanctions on Russia, aligning with prevailing pro-Russian sentiment shaped by cultural and religious ties.
Media coverage during the campaign has heavily favored Vucic’s party. Independent observers note that Vucic received approximately 78 percent of election-related airtime on major Serbian television networks in September, while opposition groups such as the Student List received a fraction of that exposure. Pro-government outlets have equated criticism of nationalist symbols or figures with anti-Serb attitudes, intensifying societal divisions.
Nationalist themes extend beyond individual figures to the status of Kosovo, a territory that declared independence in 2008 but remains claimed by Serbia. The contested region serves as a potent symbol in Serbian national identity, with many citizens and political leaders, including Vucic’s supporters, steadfastly opposing its loss. Student protesters have sought to avoid accusations of disloyalty by issuing a “Memorandum on Kosovo and Metohija,” reiterating their commitment to the territory as integral to Serbian national heritage.
Serbia’s neighborhood shares a complex relationship with nationalism, a legacy of the violent disintegration of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. While Croatia and Slovenia have moved toward European integration, countries like Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Kosovo remain mired in longstanding ethno-political disputes. Analysts and public intellectuals emphasize that nationalist narratives, shaped by historic grievances and identity politics, continue to influence public opinion and policy in the region.
Figures like Serbian novelist Vladimir Arsenijevic express concern that nationalist rhetoric pervades both government and certain opposition circles, complicating efforts toward reconciliation and European integration. He also points to violent incidents targeting those seen as challenging nationalist orthodoxies. Meanwhile, voices within Serbia call for a reassessment of historical narratives and greater openness to addressing difficult truths, though such calls remain politically sensitive.
As the electorate heads to the polls, Serbia’s future political direction appears closely tied to the enduring power of nationalist identity, economic concerns, and the geopolitical balance between European aspirations and traditional partnerships, particularly with Russia. The election will test the resilience of opposition movements and the extent to which nationalist sentiment will continue to shape the country’s trajectory.