Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has claimed that he has never lied or engaged in election fraud, a statement that has drawn sharp criticism from political analysts, historians, and legal experts interviewed by the daily Danas.
Vučić made the remarks on January 3, announcing that elections will be held this year and rejecting opposition accusations of electoral manipulation. He stated that he has “never participated in election theft” and that he would always recognize election results, calling democracy “the best form of governance” and saying that “the will of the people is the will of God.”
However, commentators interviewed by Danas argue that while Vučić may not have personally committed electoral violations, such actions were allegedly carried out by others on his behalf.
“A New, Brutal Form of Political Lying”
Historian Dragan Popović said that under Vučić, lying for political gain has taken on an unprecedented and openly aggressive form.
“Vučić has long crossed the line. What we see today is naked, brutal lying—almost insulting to the people he addresses,” Popović said, adding that the president shows “complete contempt for citizens he seeks to rule.”
According to Popović, Vučić has been in a constant election campaign for more than 13 years, addressing only his supporters while excluding large segments of society, which, he argues, proves that Vučić does not act as president of all citizens.
“He Didn’t Do It Personally—But Others Did”
Law professor Bojan Pajtić acknowledged that Vučić may not have personally bought votes or directly taken money from corrupt investors, but said this defense is deeply misleading.
“That claim is as accurate as saying Hitler never killed anyone personally,” Pajtić said, drawing a controversial historical comparison to emphasize command responsibility.
“Like other authoritarian leaders, Vučić did not dirty his hands himself—others did it for him.”
“His Favorite Lie Is That He Never Lied”
Journalist Nedim Sejdinović described Vučić’s insistence on honesty as deeply cynical, arguing that truth, accountability, and self-reflection have no place in his value system.
“His favorite lie is that he never lied,” Sejdinović said, warning that Vučić may refuse to accept electoral defeat, a move he believes could lead to serious destabilization in Serbia and the wider region.
The commentators agreed that continued denial of democratic accountability, combined with systemic corruption and media control, poses a grave risk to Serbia’s political future.
