Serbia's Ruling Party Wins General Elections

Serbian Progressive Party has won a parliamentary majority after an early vote on Sunday, election officials have said.

The ruling party has won nearly 49% of the vote, and their coalition partners, Prime Minister Ivica Dacic's Socialist Party, are currently second with 15 %, the BBC has reported.

The main opposition, the Democratic Party, has suffered a blow with around 6% support.

With this election result, Progressive Party's leader Alexander Vucic is likely to become the new head of government.

SNS have obtained 157 seats in the 250-seated parliament, this meaning a majority which will enable Vucic to put forward his policies.

This will be the first time one party has won majority in Parliament in Serbia's democratic history.
Alexander Vucic has promised to implement economic reforms, to fight corruption, to lead Serbia through EU negotiations, and to deepen the ongoing normalization of relations with Kosovo.

Vucic, however, has also been widely criticized by some as he was once a minister in former President Slobodan Milosevic's cabinet.

The opposition Democratic Party has even predicted a "one-man regime", with its parliamentary leader Borko Stefanovic claiming that Serbia is now "mesmerised by this super-guy, Mr Vucic, who controls all the media and decides on everything".

Regardless of all controversy, Vucic is facing a tough task, as social discontent is on the rise due to high unemployment and plunging living standards.