Serbia votes as strongman Vučić faces grassroots challenge to 12-year rule – Europe live

The Student List movement is taking on authoritarian leader following nearly two years of protests against government and institutional corruptionWhat is at stake in Serbia’s election? Serbia has been a candidate country since 2012, with some technical progress made in the last 15 years – but only two “chapters” have been actually closed. The last “milestone” marked on the EU’s website dates to 2021, showing the process has been effectively frozen for the last five years.The European Commission’s latest rule of law report highlighted several concerns about the country’s justice system, anti-corruption framework, media freedom, and institutional checks and balances. Belgrade also regularly faces criticism over its close ties with Russia and China. Continue reading...