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Brawling 🥊

Street brawls and voter list audits mark final stretch of election campaign

Street clashes in Novi Sad between ruling party activists and student supporters have drawn the attention of the police and the president. Aleksandar Vučić has issued a statement following the violence; sociologists describe the recurring friction as a reflection of a sadomasochistic type of authoritarian personality.

The capital remains focused on the alleged assault of a councilwoman by Belgrade’s mayor, with supporters gathering to demand an arrest as the victim provided her police statement. While the city watches the precinct, two energy deadlines arrived unceremoniously today: the exclusive operating license for the state oil company expired, as did the window for negotiations between MOL and Gazprom Neft.

Election integrity remains a matter of some debate. High school graduates traveling abroad are reporting dead-end email addresses as they try to register to vote, while commission members have highlighted a residential building in Belgrade where 15 people are registered to a single 24-square-meter apartment.

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Campaign Violence and Mayoral Incident Follow-up

New physical clashes occurred in Novi Sad between activists of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and citizens supporting students, leading to police intervention and comments from Aleksandar Vučić, the former President and current prime ministerial candidate. This comes as Tatjana Mićić, an alderwoman, is giving police testimony regarding an incident with Belgrade Mayor Aleksandar Šapić, who denies accusations of assault. A protest in support of Mićić also took place.

Election Integrity and Voter List Concerns

Issues surrounding the integrity of voter lists are being highlighted, with a member of the Commission for Revision of the Voter List, Ognjen Rašuo, discussing problems such as 15 people registered at a 24 square meter apartment. Additionally, high school graduates attempting to vote from abroad are encountering difficulties, including non-existent email addresses and being redirected between consulates.

Vučić's Evolving Political Strategy

Aleksandar Vučić, who resigned as President and is now campaigning for the prime minister's post, is reportedly changing his political strategy by refusing dialogue with those he considers his enemies. His first election campaign advertisement is also being analyzed for its messaging.

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