Serbia’s EU Path in Question: No Progress, Closer Ties with Russia, EP Warns
The European Parliament (EP) has expressed disappointment over Serbia’s lack of progress in advancing EU accession negotiations
Serbian Progressive Party has won a parliamentary majority after an early vote on Sunday, election officials have said.
The ruling party has won nearly 49% of the vote, and their coalition partners, Prime Minister Ivica Dacic's Socialist Party, are currently second with 15 %, the BBC has reported.
The main opposition, the Democratic Party, has suffered a blow with around 6% support.
With this election result, Progressive Party's leader Alexander Vucic is likely to become the new head of government.
SNS have obtained 157 seats in the 250-seated parliament, this meaning a majority which will enable Vucic to put forward his policies.
This will be the first time one party has won majority in Parliament in Serbia's democratic history.
Alexander Vucic has promised to implement economic reforms, to fight corruption, to lead Serbia through EU negotiations, and to deepen the ongoing normalization of relations with Kosovo.
Vucic, however, has also been widely criticized by some as he was once a minister in former President Slobodan Milosevic's cabinet.
The opposition Democratic Party has even predicted a "one-man regime", with its parliamentary leader Borko Stefanovic claiming that Serbia is now "mesmerised by this super-guy, Mr Vucic, who controls all the media and decides on everything".
Regardless of all controversy, Vucic is facing a tough task, as social discontent is on the rise due to high unemployment and plunging living standards.
Following a two-hour phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on May 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin maintained his refusal to agree to a full ceasefire in Ukraine
Bulgaria is among 15 European countries supporting a call for the European Union to adopt a new strategy in pursuing peace in Ukraine
The Greek island of Euboea continues to experience a series of earthquakes
Russian leader Vladimir Putin is reportedly confident that his forces can secure full control of four Ukrainian Oblasts (regions) by the end of 2025
The center-right AD-PSD/CDS coalition emerged victorious in Sunday’s legislative elections in Portugal, securing 86 parliamentary seats
Israel announced it will permit a "basic amount" of food into Gaza, aiming to prevent a starvation crisis after maintaining a 10-week blockade
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