BELGRADE, Serbia – President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia has declared victory in the snap parliamentary elections, announcing that his Serbian Progressive Party is on track to obtain an absolute majority in the parliament.

According to projections, the Serbian Progressive Party, or SNS, is expected to secure nearly 47% of the vote. On the other hand, opposition parties under the Serbia Against Violence (SPN) alliance lagged behind with approximately 23% of the vote. However, they alleged electoral fraud in favor of the government and called for a recount.

Initial results indicated that the SNS had captured more than half of the 250 seats in the National Assembly. Mr. Vucic praised the results, stating, “My job was to do everything in my power to secure an absolute majority,” although he himself was not running for election.

The Serbia Against Violence alliance had aimed to gain control of Belgrade in the local elections, following two mass shootings in May that led to widespread protests. However, initial results showed Mr. Vucic’s party slightly ahead in the capital, prompting the SPN to claim electoral fraud and demand the annulment of the vote in Belgrade.

Despite allegations of irregularities, the Serbian Progressive Party appeared to maintain its lead, with nearly one in four Serbian voters residing in Belgrade. The opposition accused the SNS of utilizing public resources for political purposes, and the election monitor CRTA reported a “chronic lack of pluralism” in Serbia.

Serbia, a candidate for EU membership, is under pressure to normalize relations with Kosovo, which declared unilateral independence from Serbia in 2008. The nation is home to around 95,000 ethnic Serbs who live in Kosovo and had to cross into Serbia to cast their votes.

Turnout in the elections was estimated at 59.1%, with various irregularities reported by local observers. The election results also underscore the ongoing struggle for power and influence in the region.