McCarthy: Vucic’s victory was partly Russian triumph

Paul McCarthy, Regional Director Europe, International Republican Institute (IRI), assessed today that Aleksandar Vucic’s victory in the elections in Serbia was partly Russian triumph.

“The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) did not do as well in the parliamentary elections in Serbia as the president. “It seems they did not get the result they were hoping for,” McCarthy told VOA.

„It’s good that the opposition, which boycotted previous elections, took part. Pluralism is back in Serbia’s Parliament,“ McCarthy said, adding that poll showed that citizens supported the messages of peace and stability sent to them by Aleksandar Vucic during campaign.

McCarthy added that he was worried by the atmosphere in which the vote was held, saying that “it has been a lot of violence”.

I think that not all that had happened had been published, but I’m deeply concerned with violence and attacks on candidates and political parties’ members.”

McCarthy added that at least ten irregularities were recorded, which should be carefully considered. “Also, I was very intrigued by the long time needed to publish official results.”

Asked if Vucic’s triumph was, in a way, Russia’s victory in the Balkans, McCarthy said: “Vucic and other members of the government have strong ties to Moscow – so in that case it could be considered a partial victory for Russia ”.

Regarding the results of the three right-wing parties that should enter parliament, McCarthy said that one of the reasons was the strong current of right-wing nationalism, along with the pro-Russian sentiment about the conflict in Ukraine, which occurred during the campaign and elections.