Archived edition · October 19, 2026 Today's news →

What's happening in Europe?

Flag of Serbia

Serbia

News summary for

Go to today →

Nightshifts 🌙

Belgrade prosecutors prepare special shifts for election night arrests

The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade, led by Nenad Stefanović, has organized special duty shifts for election day and the two days following, reportedly anticipating unrest and numerous arrests, according to Judge Miodrag Majić of the Court of Appeals in Belgrade. This development coincides with student groups from multiple cities marching to the capital for a planned gathering on October 22nd, with students claiming their meetings are being recorded and arrests are being prepared.

Further intensifying pre-election tensions, new analyses allege that the ruling Serbian Progressive Party's (SNS) 'bot army,' composed of public employees, costs citizens approximately twenty million euros annually, raising questions about misusing public funds and potential criminal charges. Separately, Nebojša Romčević, a professor at the Faculty for Drama, Radio, Film and Television in Belgrade, stated that the SNS cannot win the upcoming elections, even through fraud.

In other news, the European People's Party (EPP) has reportedly withdrawn its support for Aleksandar Vučić, who resigned as President on September 27, 2026, to run for Prime Minister in the upcoming parliamentary election. Meanwhile, the disappearance of Slavija info channel presenter Ljubomir Stefanović has sparked concern, with his apartment sealed and family reportedly unaware of his whereabouts.

Top stories

Election Preparations and Potential Unrest

The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade is reportedly preparing for numerous arrests around the upcoming election, organizing special duty shifts for election day and the two days following. This comes amidst student protests, with columns of students marching to Belgrade for an October 22nd gathering and alleging that their meetings are being recorded and arrests are being prepared. Political analysts suggest Serbia will undergo significant changes after October 25th, framing the…

Ruling Party 'Bot Army' Allegations and Cost

New analyses indicate that public employees allegedly operating a 'bot army' for the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) cost citizens around twenty million euros annually through misused public funds. This has led to accusations of criminal offenses and discussions about whether the individuals involved will be required to return the money.

International Political Alliances Shift Regarding Vučić

The European People's Party (EPP) has reportedly withdrawn its support for Aleksandar Vučić, signaling a shift in political alliances. This comes after Vučić, who served as President of Serbia from 2017 to 2026, resigned from the presidency on September 27, 2026, to run as a prime ministerial candidate for the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Air Quality Concerns for Upcoming Winter

Serbia is projected to face another winter with high air pollution levels, as environmental experts state that government measures remain insufficient and fragmented. PM10 levels are already exceeded in numerous municipalities, with issues like stubble burning and a lack of comprehensive plan evaluation worsening the situation.

Opposition and Election Commentary

Nebojša Romčević, a professor at the Faculty for Drama, Radio, Film and Television in Belgrade, stated that the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) is incapable of winning the upcoming elections, even with electoral fraud, asserting that any power seized by force would be short-lived. Marinika Tepić, Vice-president of the Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP) and Member of the National Assembly, emphasized that the removal of Aleksandar Vučić from power hinges on the 'European Serbia' list.

News sources