AGP Executive Report

Election Watch: With Serbia’s snap parliamentary vote set for October 25, PACE has warned of a highly polarized campaign. The Green-Left Front is demanding answers after Interior Ministry figures showed 235,000 more valid ID cards in four months, while voter-roll numbers rose far less. EU Debate: In a televised debate, ruling-list leader Ana Brnabić cast sanctions on Russia as the main obstacle to accession; student-list representative Aleksandar Baucal blamed the stalled process on Serbia’s domestic rule of law. Media Freedom: Vreme reports Arena Sport asked for a “Students are winning” banner to be removed during a basketball match, raising fresh concerns about pressure on political expression. Energy and Business: Vučić has floated a possible US investment in oil company NIS, adding uncertainty to the delayed Hungarian MOL deal. Separately, the Hungary–Serbia oil pipeline has received environmental approval.

Election Watch: With Serbia’s snap parliamentary vote set for October 25, the EU delegation has raised concern over reported campaign incidents and urged authorities to protect journalists, observers and civil society. Vučić says he expects no unrest, adding that any disruption would be quickly quelled. Media Freedom: BIRODI warns that rhetoric portraying independent watchdogs as “foreign mercenaries” could put election monitors at risk. Nova.rs journalists are also resisting management’s appointment of a new editor, amid an offer to stay under his leadership or leave on improved terms. Economy: The IMF now forecasts growth of 3.3% in 2026 and 4% in 2027. Serbia’s foreign-currency reserves fell by €946 million in September to €29.86 billion, enough to cover 6.7 months of imports. Belgrade Costs: Demand for cleaners is pushing prices to as much as 1,600 dinars an hour for deep cleans, with appointments booked weeks ahead.

Election Watch: With Serbia’s October 25 parliamentary vote approaching, the EU delegation voiced concern over reported incidents and urged authorities to protect journalists, observers and civil society. A Council of Europe delegation is meeting officials and political groups ahead of its observation mission. Political Tensions: Aleksandar Vučić said Serbia would maintain “traditional” ties with Russia while staying on the European path, and warned any election-related unrest would be swiftly stopped. Research group BIRODI cautioned that rhetoric portraying watchdogs as foreign agents could put election monitors at risk. Economy: The IMF raised its 2026 growth forecast for Serbia to 3.3%, with 4% projected for 2027. NBS foreign-exchange reserves fell by €946 million in September to €29.86 billion, still covering 6.7 months of imports. Business: Telekom Srbija says it expects a US operating licence in mid-November and plans to launch mobile service there in December.

Election Dispute: Serbia’s student-backed list plans to appeal after the electoral commission rejected complaints over access to polling stations abroad ahead of the 25 October election. More than 102,000 diaspora voters are registered at 93 stations—over twice the 2023 total—but critics say long journeys and limited voting access could deter participation. An ODIHR interim report also described the campaign as marked by political crisis and polarization. University Protest: Several hundred academics rallied in Belgrade over unpaid salaries for staff at the University of Niš’s Faculty of Philosophy, where employees say the Education Ministry is using financial pressure amid a dispute over splitting departments to form a new faculty. Belgrade Spending: The city has launched a tender worth 365 million dinars to build an 80-metre Serbian flag mast and redevelop part of Ušće’s Friendship Park. Public Finances: Serbia recorded a budget deficit of 98.4 billion dinars in the first eight months of 2026.

Election Watch: Serbia’s electoral commission rejected a complaint over the distance to polling stations abroad, despite concerns that voters may need to travel long distances. More than 102,000 citizens abroad have registered to vote at 93 stations—over twice the 2023 figure. Ballot printing has begun for the Oct. 25 election, with 18 lists and 6.45 million ballots planned. Belgrade Politics: Prosecutors opened a preliminary investigation into Mayor Aleksandar Šapić over alleged violence against a city councillor, who suffered a broken nose. Šapić has been questioned as a suspect. EU Relations: Bulgarian MEP Ivaylo Valchev urged the EU’s diplomatic service to seek answers after Serbian authorities barred two representatives of a Bulgarian research institute from entering the country, raising concerns about minority and academic rights. Economy: Serbia’s budget deficit reached 98.4 billion dinars in January–August, below the planned 176.4 billion. Meanwhile, unemployment fell by nearly 50,000 over a year, but the number of people outside the labour market rose by 60,000. Belgrade Services: District heating systems began warm tests ahead of the official season start on Oct. 15.

Election Watch: Aleksandar Vučić says the Student List will lose by “hundreds of thousands” of votes, arguing it focused too heavily on him. The student-led opposition will hold its final rally at Belgrade’s Slavija Square on October 22, three days before the snap parliamentary vote. Observer Mission: Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić has invited the European Parliament to send seven observers, but the invitation came after the organising deadline had passed. ODIHR says the campaign is unfolding amid political crisis and deep polarization, with key recommendations on voter pressure and intimidation still unfulfilled. Diaspora Voting: More former diplomats have backed criticism of plans to reduce overseas polling stations, despite a record 106,000 citizens registering to vote. Voter Roll: Serbia’s electoral register has been finalised; voters can check their details online or at local administrations.

Election Campaign: Serbia’s snap parliamentary vote is set for October 25, with student-backed candidates challenging the ruling SNS after two years of protests. The election commission rejected the students’ complaints about overseas voting arrangements; they plan to appeal. ODIHR says the campaign is marked by political crisis and polarization, while Vučić has warned that a change of government could mean recognition of Kosovo and spoken of defending voters’ will. Students plan a final rally in Belgrade on October 22. Kosovo Tensions: Interior Minister Ivica Dačić said Serbia’s flag would one day fly over Prizren, drawing a warning from former German minister Michael Roth that such rhetoric risks renewed conflict. Economy: Serbia’s central bank kept its key interest rate at 5.75%, while a recent economic assessment put real GDP growth at 3.6% for the first eight months of 2026.

Election Day: Polling stations opened across Serbia at 07:00, with no early incidents reported, as voters cast ballots amid a deeply polarized campaign. Election Oversight: OSCE/ODIHR observers warn of voter pressure, misuse of public resources, media imbalance and doubts over the voter register, saying key concerns remain unresolved. Serbia-Kosovo Tensions: Kosovo says Milan Radoičić’s appearance at an SNS rally in Kragujevac supports its allegation of Serbian state involvement in the 2023 Banjska attack. Serbia has not charged him. Economy and EU: Serbia’s central bank kept its key rate at 5.75%, while EU membership has largely vanished from campaign debate as accession remains stalled.

Election Watch: Serbia’s October 25 parliamentary vote is drawing sharp scrutiny. An ODIHR interim report flags voter pressure, misuse of public resources, media bias and doubts over the accuracy of the voter register, amid deep political polarization. Student Campaign: The Student List held a major rally in Niš under the theme “Crossroads — we choose together,” focusing on health, the economy and education, and expressing support for a local theatre figure’s son after an alleged assault by ruling-party members. EU Path: EU membership has barely featured in the campaign, despite Serbia’s stalled accession talks and calls from Brussels for democratic reforms. Party Politics: Former SPS deputy leader Branko Ružić says work is underway to register a new political organization in November. Serbia-Bulgaria Ties: Bulgarian researcher Angel Dzhonev says Serbia denied him entry on national-security grounds as he travelled to a cultural event in Bosilegrad; he says two colleagues faced similar refusals.

Election Watch: Serbia’s October 25 vote is shaping up as a test of the ruling Progressives against the student-backed Student List. Watchdogs and opposition figures say overseas voting arrangements threaten voters’ rights; the EU says it is aware of concerns, while the government has yet to formally invite European Parliament observers. Economy: The National Bank of Serbia held its key rate at 5.75%. Inflation rose to 2.2% in August, and the bank expects it to move toward 4% as it forecasts at least 3.2% economic growth this year. Rights: Serbian feminist and peacebuilder Ljiljana Nešić was among five defenders honoured with the 2026 Front Line Defenders Award for work carried out despite threats and retaliation. Regional Security: Montenegro arrested and expelled Russian war-blog network Rybar’s founder, Mikhail Zvinchuk, and four others, citing national security concerns and alleged foreign influence activity. Tennis: Novak Djokovic was knocked out of the Shanghai Masters by Hubert Hurkacz, losing 6-4, 6-4 in their ninth meeting.

Election Campaign: Aleksandar Vučić rallied supporters in Kragujevac, promising salaries of €1,500 and attacking the student movement as he campaigns ahead of Serbia’s October 25 parliamentary vote. Election Oversight: Opposition figures say the government has yet to invite European Parliament observers, while concerns mount over voting arrangements for Serbs abroad. Media and Culture: The student movement’s campaign ad aired on RTS for the first time; meanwhile, Nova staff are resisting new editorial appointments by its owner, and a watchdog says the Culture Ministry backed 45 questionable projects with 59.45 million dinars. Sport: UEFA fined the Serbian Football Association €89,500 over crowd discrimination, inappropriate messages, a pitch invasion and pyrotechnics at two matches. Novak Djokovic, fresh from winning in Beijing, was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by Hubert Hurkacz in Shanghai.

Election Watch: Serbia’s 25 October snap vote is under scrutiny: CRTA recorded 203 cases of negative campaigning, obstruction and violence across 45 municipalities, and nearly 1,500 reports in pro-government media warning of election-day chaos. Overseas Voting: Electoral commission member Marko Živanović says the 93 planned polling stations could make it harder for diaspora voters to cast ballots; the ministry has yet to provide full registration data. Retired diplomats have also criticised reduced polling access and overnight voting, while the European Parliament has not received an invitation to observe. EXPO 2027: The project is a campaign flashpoint. Opposition figures pledge to halt it and investigate contracts they allege are corrupt; SNS says cancellation would undermine investment and development. Public Finances: Unofficial figures cited by Radar put September’s budget deficit at about €903 million and the deficit for the first nine months at €1.74 billion. The Finance Ministry’s published figures so far cover August. Kosovo: Justina Shiroka-Pula’s election as president after a last-minute deal has averted another snap election, though a proposed law limiting the Hague war crimes court’s powers remains contentious. Regional Politics: Reports that Trump-linked advisers consulted Republika Srpska’s Milorad Dodik before Bosnia’s election have prompted scrutiny within the US Republican Party.

Kosovo: New President Justina Shiroka-Pula met Prime Minister Albin Kurti after a deal averted another election and ended a prolonged political deadlock. Her first major test is whether to sign a controversial law limiting the powers of the Hague war-crimes court. Election Watch: Serbia’s October 25 vote faces mounting scrutiny. CRTA reported 203 cases of negative campaigning, obstruction and violence, and nearly 1,500 pro-government media items warning of election-day chaos. It also says overseas voting arrangements could leave about 22,000 citizens unable to vote; retired diplomats have backed serving colleagues’ objections. The European Parliament has yet to receive an invitation to observe. Campaign and Economy: EXPO 2027 has become a flashpoint, with opposition figures vowing to halt the project and investigate contracts, while the ruling party calls it a development priority. Separately, unofficial budget figures cited by Radar put the deficit at €1.74 billion through September, far above the same period last year; official September data are due in November. Transport: Hungary has completed its final test run on the Belgrade–Budapest rail line, with passenger services expected to begin in December.

Election Campaign: Serbia’s snap parliamentary vote on October 25 is shaping up as a challenge to 14 years of SNS rule, with students taking their protest movement to the ballot box. Aleksandar Vučić, who resigned as president, is campaigning to become prime minister. Reports of pressure on independent media and barriers to diaspora voting have raised concerns about fairness; the media watchdog has opened proceedings against RTS and five other TV stations. EU Path: Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos says Serbia must deliver more, with the new government’s seriousness on reforms still to be seen. Energy and Infrastructure: Serbia plans to start laying pipes next week for its gas link with North Macedonia, targeting completion in early 2028. Vučić has also announced plans for a Belgrade–Vršac–Timișoara highway. Kosovo: Lawmakers elected Justina Shiroka Pula president just before a deadline that could have triggered another snap election, while also passing a law restricting the powers of the Hague war-crimes court.

Election Campaign: Serbia’s snap parliamentary vote is set for October 25, with student protesters challenging the ruling SNS after two years of demonstrations. The campaign is shadowed by allegations of unfair conditions, including voter-registration barriers and more than 500,000 voters listed at addresses without a street name or number. Media Oversight: Serbia’s media regulator has opened proceedings against RTS and five other broadcasters over alleged political use of minors in programming supporting the SNS-led list. EU Path: Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said Serbia must make further progress on its EU accession path, as the European Commission proposes reforms to prepare the bloc for new members. Public Finances: Serbia’s public debt reached €41.93 billion at the end of August, equal to 43.3% of GDP, up €89 million from July.

Diaspora Voting Clash: Serbian diaspora groups have appealed to the EU, OSCE and the US over new overseas voting restrictions ahead of the Oct. 25 parliamentary election, warning that limited polling hours tied to Central European Time could block many voters abroad. Kosovo Political Reset: Kosovo lawmakers elected economist Justina Shiroka Pula as president in a late-night vote, narrowly avoiding a snap election, after MPs also moved to curb the powers of the Hague-based war crimes court. Agriculture Under Drought: Northern Serbia’s dry, hard soil is delaying wheat sowing, with experts saying farmers need far more rain to prepare land properly and avoid damaging sowing conditions. Belgrade Local Politics: The Belgrade City Assembly session was disrupted after the Start Change movement walked out over an incident involving mayor Aleksandar Šapić and councilor Tatjana Mićić, with medical reports citing fractures and surgery on Oct. 5. Energy Links in the Region: Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria and North Macedonia agreed in Belgrade to strengthen cross-border energy connections, including work on the Vertical Gas Corridor and an oil-products route via Thessaloniki–Skopje–Niš. Health Research: A Serbian registry study reports sex differences in how myotonic dystrophy affects multiple organs, pointing to more tailored monitoring and care.