The current surge in democratic sentiment around the world has received a major boost, with voters in the Western Balkan state of Serbia handing a stinging rebuke in Sunday’s parliamentary elections to the 14-year rule of populist strongman Aleksandar Vucic.

In a calculated manoeuvre to retain his iron grip on power, the autocratic Vucic last month prematurely resigned as the country’s president—the Constitution stipulates a two-term limit for the high office—to contest the polls with an eye on returning as prime minister.

However, in a phenomenal turn of fortunes spurred by over 70 per cent voter turnout, the student-led opposition movement, the Students’ List, secured an absolute majority, with Vucic’s United Serbia coalition reduced to about 100 seats in the 250-strong unicameral........

© Free Press Journal