Fact Check: "Vucic's coalition controls 156 of 250 parliamentary seats, resisting calls for snap elections."
What We Know
President Aleksandar Vucic's coalition, led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), currently holds 156 out of 250 parliamentary seats in Serbia's National Assembly. This coalition has faced significant public pressure, including large-scale protests demanding early elections. Protesters, numbering around 140,000, have expressed dissatisfaction with Vucic's 12-year rule, leading to clashes with police in Belgrade (Reuters, BBC). Despite these protests, Vucic has consistently refused calls for snap elections, asserting that his government is stable and that the opposition is part of a foreign plot to undermine Serbia (BBC, Reuters).
Analysis
The claim that Vucic's coalition controls 156 of 250 parliamentary seats is substantiated by multiple reports and is a critical aspect of the current political landscape in Serbia. The 2023 Serbian parliamentary election, held on December 17, 2023, allowed the SNS to regain its parliamentary majority despite previous losses in 2022 (Wikipedia). This indicates that the coalition's control over the parliament is not only a current reality but also a result of recent electoral processes.
The protests calling for snap elections are fueled by widespread allegations of corruption and authoritarianism under Vucic's administration. Observers have noted a decline in democratic norms and media freedoms during his tenure, leading to accusations of electoral fraud and manipulation (Wikipedia). The protests, which have been ongoing since late 2022, reflect a significant portion of the population's desire for political change, yet Vucic's coalition remains firmly in power, illustrating a disconnect between public sentiment and political representation.
The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is strong. Major news outlets like Reuters and BBC provide well-researched coverage of the protests and the political situation in Serbia. Additionally, the information from Wikipedia about the recent elections is corroborated by multiple independent reports, making it a credible source for understanding the electoral context.
Conclusion
The claim that "Vucic's coalition controls 156 of 250 parliamentary seats, resisting calls for snap elections" is True. The evidence clearly shows that the SNS holds a majority in the National Assembly and that Vucic has resisted calls for early elections despite significant public unrest. The political landscape in Serbia is characterized by a strong coalition government facing increasing pressure from a disillusioned electorate.
