Early elections will return SNS to power in Serbia

Subject

Electoral prospects ahead of early parliamentary polls.

Significance

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has decided on early parliamentary elections, less than two years into the current government's mandate. The elections will coincide with local municipal as well as Vojvodina provincial assembly polls. Inevitably, the government's agenda will be in abeyance as it moves into campaigning mode.

Impacts

• Parliament is likely to be dissolved in late February, with April 24 the most likely date for elections.
• The SNS will lose some seats in the national parliament, but probably take control of the Vojvodina government and more municipalities.
• The SPS is likely to remain in government after the election, the SNS depending more on its support than it does now.