Activists, student protesters and opposition politicians in Serbia describe a climate of beatings, cyberattacks and threats ahead of Sunday's election, in which former president Aleksandar Vucic is running for prime minister, according to a Reuters report published by Daily Maverick.
The student-led movement that grew after the 2024 Novi Sad station canopy collapse, which killed 16 people, is fielding 250 candidates, and one poll this week showed it level with Mr Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party. Reporters Without Borders ranked Serbia 104th of 180 countries for press freedom this year, its lowest ever, and a media foundation counted at least 182 verbal attacks by Mr Vucic on journalists in nine months.
Mr Vucic and his party deny repression and corruption, and he says he has not shut down any media. His office and the interior ministry did not respond to Reuters.
Source: Daily Maverick (Reuters)
