Serbian PM confirms domination with presidential win

Serbia's Conservative Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić won the presidential election that was held in the country on the 2 April 2017 by a substantial margin. He took around 55% of the votes, while the next placed candidate, Sasa Janković, took around 16%. As a result there would not be a need for a second round of voting.

In his victory acceptance speech he announced that Serbia would continue to seek EU membership and at the same time maintain good relations with Russia and China.

Euro|Topics noted that while some commentators grappled with Serbia's paradoxical role others voiced concern about the state of democracy in the country.

• Primary Source

ESO: Key source: Serbian presidential election, 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/serbian-presidential-election-2017/

Deutsche Welle, 02.04.17: Serbia's conservative Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic declares victory in presidential election http://dw.com/p/2aVaQ

Politico, 02.04.17: Vučić claims victory in Serbian presidential vote http://www.politico.eu/article/vucic-heads-for-victory-in-serbian-presidential-vote/

Balkan Insight, 02.04.17: Vucic Wins Serbian Presidential Elections http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/vucic-wins-serbian-presidential-elections-04-02-2017-1

European Council: Press Release, 03.04.17: Letter of congratulations from Presidents Tusk and Juncker to Aleksandar Vučić on his election as President of Serbia http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/04/03-pec-tusk-letter-vucic/

EurActiv, 04.04.17: Brussels trusts Vucic will confirm Serbia’s EU path http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/eu-trusts-vucic-will-confirm-serbias-eu-path/

EUObserver, 04.04.17: Serbia's Vucic stronger than ever https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/137490

Euro|Topics: Debates, April 2017: Which way for Serbia under President Vučić? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/177146/which-way-for-serbia-under-president-vui

BBC News, 03.04.17: Serbia elects Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic as president http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39474145

Balkan Insight, 03.04.17: Protesters in Serbia Denounce Vucic's Poll Victory http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/protest-against-the-dictatorship-in-several-cities-in-serbia-04-03-2017-1

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 03.04.17: Experts react: Aleksandar Vučić wins Serbia’s presidential election http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2017/04/03/experts-react-aleksandar-vucic-wins-serbias-presidential-election/

Politico, 05.04.17: [Opinion]: EU the biggest loser in Serbia’s elections http://www.politico.eu/article/aleksandar-vucic-eu-the-biggest-loser-in-serbia-elections-eu-the-biggest-loser-in-serbias-elections/

Politico, 06.04.17: For Serbia’s Vučić, road to EU runs through Balkans http://www.politico.eu/article/for-serbias-vucic-road-to-eu-runs-through-balkans/

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