Serbia’s ruling political landscape is once again drawing scrutiny after the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) confirmed they will run together in the upcoming local elections scheduled for March 29. Analysts and opposition figures say the move reflects growing concerns within the ruling bloc about declining public support and internal divisions.
Political observers note that fear of losing influence and mutual political interests appear to be the main factors keeping the two parties aligned. The decision to run on a joint list in several municipalities is widely interpreted as an attempt to consolidate power amid signs of falling approval ratings.
Last year, SPS candidates appeared on SNS-backed lists in municipalities such as Mionica, Negotin, and Kosjerić. However, when running independently in other areas, including Sečanj, the results were weaker, while in Zaječar the party reportedly failed to pass the electoral threshold. Those outcomes are believed to have influenced the decision to again join forces with SNS.
The leader of SNS, Miloš Vučević, said recently that his party is prepared to run alongside SPS, arguing that broader state interests should take precedence over narrow party considerations. His remarks followed internal debate within SPS, after senior party figure Branko Ružić suggested earlier that the socialists might prefer not to share a list with SNS in future parliamentary elections.
Despite those mixed signals, SPS leadership ultimately endorsed the joint participation in the upcoming local vote.
Opposition: Coalition Reflects Weakening Support
Opposition representatives say the renewed alliance is not surprising. According to critics, the ruling parties are increasingly relying on each other to maintain control at the local level.
Some opposition lawmakers argue that SPS has gradually lost its political independence, claiming the party now depends heavily on SNS to remain relevant in elections. Others described the coalition as a “marriage of convenience”, driven primarily by the need to preserve power rather than shared policy goals.
Analysts: Joint Lists Signal Awareness of Falling Ratings
Political analysts say the decision to form joint electoral lists suggests growing awareness within the ruling bloc that their dominance may be weakening. Results from several local elections in 2025 indicated that in some traditional SNS strongholds, even narrow victories required a united front among parties aligned with the government.
Experts warn that, while the alliance may offer short-term electoral benefits, it could further erode SPS’s identity and deepen internal tensions within the party.
Local elections will take place on March 29 in several municipalities across Serbia, including Bor, Aranđelovac, Bajina Bašta, Kladovo, Knjaževac, Kula, Lučani, Majdanpek, Smederevska Palanka, and Sevojno.
As campaigning intensifies, the renewed SPS–SNS alliance is expected to remain a central topic in Serbia’s political debate, with both supporters and critics viewing it as a key indicator of shifting power dynamics ahead of future national elections.
