In an exclusive interview with Nova.rs, Borko Stefanović, Deputy President of the opposition Freedom and Justice Party (SSP), addressed the latest polling data by research group CRTA, foreign policy tensions with Brussels, and internal opposition dynamics ahead of potential early parliamentary elections.
CRTA Polling Controversy and Election Readiness
Responding to a recent CRTA study indicating a hypothetical student-backed opposition list taking a 44.9% to 35.7% lead over the ruling SNS, while showing zero existing opposition parties crossing the election threshold, Stefanović voiced skepticism:
Borko Stefanović: “CRTA came out with research showing that Vučić’s political career is over… I genuinely hope that is true, but as a party that always speaks the truth, we must ask who bears responsibility if this proves inaccurate? CRTA predicted almost double the percentage points for us in 2023 than what we actually won.“
Regarding President Aleksandar Vučić’s announcement that parliamentary elections could occur by early December 2026 alongside his plan to return as Prime Minister, Stefanović stated that pro-European forces are preparing to mobilize to defend voter intent.
EU Integration and Cluster 3 Tension
Stefanović highlighted a growing disconnect between the European Parliament’s critical resolutions regarding Serbia’s rule of law and the European Commission’s push to open Cluster 3 in accession negotiations:
- European Parliament: Issued sharp condemnations regarding election fraud, media suppression, police misconduct, and high-level corruption.
- European Commission: Aiming to advance negotiations as an incentive, which Stefanović warns could be manipulated by the ruling regime as a personal endorsement.
- Geopolitical Stance: He criticized the government’s alignment inconsistencies, pointing to Serbian ministerial participation at events in Tehran, Moscow, and Beijing while attempting to project a pro-EU image.
Opposition Coalition and Internal Politics
When questioned on coalition building and party relations:
| Subject | Stefanović’s Assessment |
| European Platform Alliance | Confirmed SSP is collaborating alongside SRCE, PSG, and Solidarnost, remaining open to pro-European civic groups. |
| Green-Left Front (ZLF) | Noted that ZLF currently decided against joining this specific list configuration for the upcoming elections. |
| SPS Minister Controversy | Condemned recent controversial comments regarding Kosovo by Public Administration Minister Snežana Paunović, demanding her immediate resignation and labeling it a return to “blood and soil” rhetoric to rally nationalist votes. |
