Following announcements by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić regarding an “unprecedented final phase” of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party’s (SNS) upcoming parliamentary election campaign, political analysts and opposition figures interviewed by Danas have dismissed the claims as populist theater.
Vučić claimed he plans to campaign as an ordinary citizen—driving his own car without security detail. However, analysts view this as a calculated tactic to appeal to socioeconomically vulnerable voters while attempting to bypass international election integrity standards.
Key Controversies & Campaign Tactics
- Self-Driven Campaigning: Critics pointed out that Vučić does not officially own a car, turning his claim of “driving his own vehicle without security” into what analysts call a primitivist form of populism.
- Media Saturation: Assistant Professor Marko Vujić from the Faculty of Political Sciences (FPN) noted that Vučić’s media presence increased from 320 live broadcasts in 2024 to 411 in 2025, demonstrating growing reliance on state media as SNS approval ratings face pressure.
- Strategic Pretext for International Observers: Vujić highlighted that by framing his participation as an “ordinary citizen,” Vučić is attempting to pre-emptively satisfy ODIHR (OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights) recommendations regarding the misuse of state resources and the separation of public office from political campaigning.
Critique from Political Analysts
Analysts interviewed by Danas questioned why extreme campaign tactics are being deployed if the ruling party maintains a comfortable lead:
Zoran Lutovac (Political Scientist): “The only unprecedented thing is the successes upon which he bases this campaign. Those successes are literally unprecedented—because they don’t exist. They are invisible both to Serbian citizens and to the EU.”
Radivoje Jovović (University Professor & Provincial MP): “Vučić is trying for the thousandth time to rebrand himself as a man of the people… But his illusion cannot last forever. These are desperate measures of a loser—ceaseless marketing telling us ‘don’t believe your eyes, believe me.'”
Core Arguments Raised by Analysts
| Critic | Key Observation |
| Marko Vujić (FPN) | Compares Vučić’s campaign promises to “flying taxis” and notes that increasing political tension correlates with Vučić’s expanding control over media airtime. |
| Zoran Lutovac | Argues that Vučić cannot step onto the streets without heavy security, pointing out growing economic inequality and unchecked corruption. |
| Radivoje Jovović | Stated that the rise of the Student List political alternative is threatening SNS control over low-income demographic groups, prompting populist maneuvers. |
