The Left spoke out about the alleged buying of votes of the Serb diaspora in Slovenia

The Left party in Slovenia has called for independent verification of allegations regarding vote-buying among the Serbian diaspora during early parliamentary elections held in Serbia on October 25, 2026. The political group urged the Venice Commission and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) observation mission to pay special attention to voting procedures abroad and specific accusations of financial inducements targeting voters at the Serbian Embassy in Ljubljana. This appeal comes amid reports that Serbian citizens residing in Slovenia faced logistical hurdles, including long queues and limited polling station access, which some observers linked to potential irregularities favoring Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić’s list. Serbian nationals living in Slovenia were required to cast their ballots exclusively at the Serbian Embassy located on Ciril-Metodov Square in central Ljubljana. Despite requests from local communities to open additional polling stations in Maribor and Koper, Serbian authorities did not establish these extra sites. Consequently, many voters organized their own transportation to the capital. Supporters of the student movement arranged free bus services from Maribor, Koper, and Celje to facilitate travel to the embassy. Media reports indicated that two buses departed from Maribor alone, though demand exceeded capacity, prompting further organized transport initiatives. Queues formed outside the embassy began in the early morning hours. By midday, lines stretched significantly through the city center, reaching as far as the Vodnikov hram restaurant near the Ljubljana market square. Some voters waited approximately two hours to cast their ballots. The embassy extended its operating hours due to high turnout, allowing all individuals present at the location until 8:00 PM to vote, even though standard polling hours ran from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The atmosphere among waiting voters was described as positive, with some singing “Tri poljupca za sreću,” a song by Snežana Savić that serves as an unofficial anthem for the Student List opposition coalition. Approximately 3,300 to 3,878 Serbian citizens registered to vote in Slovenia, according to varying figures cited by media outlets. Among those waiting in line were several families who had relocated from Serbia over the past decade. Dragica and Maksim, parents of a two-year-old child, traveled from Koper, departing at 5:30 AM to arrive at the queue around 7:30 AM. They stated they moved from Šabac seeking better living conditions and expressed hope for a victory by younger generations in the election. Similarly, students Iva and Nina, both from Koper, cited lack of opportunities in Serbia as reasons for their move and voiced confidence in the Student List’s chances. An older couple, Snežana and Milan Milanović, who moved to Slovenia ten years ago for their son’s medical care, also participated, expressing a desire for political change and opportunities for youth. The Left party emphasized that votes should not become commodities subject to trade, nor should financial support for diaspora associations serve as tools for political coercion. The party stated that every Serbian citizen must have the right to vote freely and secretly in Slovenia, without pressure or fear of consequences stemming from their choice. The initiative aims to protect the right to free and secret ballot for all Serbian citizens, both domestically and abroad, regardless of political affiliation, while strengthening trust in electoral integrity. In its formal request, the Left party asked the Venice Commission and PACE to examine whether Serbia’s legal framework provides adequate safeguards against vote-buying and indirect influence on voters through the financing of foreign-based associations. The party requested an assessment of whether rules governing diplomatic and consular missions during elections are sufficiently clear to prevent the misuse of state resources or official positions for the benefit of specific political lists. Additionally, the party sought review of criteria used to determine overseas polling stations, questioning whether these standards are transparent, objective, and subject to effective legal protection. Media outlets, including Delo and the Serbian Times, previously reported allegations of vote-buying for Aleksandar Vučić’s list at the Ljubljana embassy prior to the election day. These reports highlighted complaints from Serbian citizens about the scarcity of polling stations, which led to the self-organized group transports mentioned earlier. While the Left party cites these media accounts as the basis for their call for investigation, the Serbian government has not publicly responded to these specific allegations within the provided texts. Voters in Serbia itself also faced long waits at domestic polling stations, with similar congestion reported in foreign locations such as Germany, France, and the United States. The early parliamentary elections determined whether the Serbian Progressive Party under Aleksandar Vučić would continue its rule or if voters would choose the changes promised by the Student List coalition. The outcome of the election remains pending final tallies, but the logistical challenges and subsequent calls for international scrutiny highlight ongoing tensions regarding electoral fairness for the diaspora. Local officials in Ljubljana noted the high volume of participants, with embassy staff managing the flow of voters into the building. A volunteer named Đorđe was observed assisting voters in organizing themselves into correct lines based on surname order inside the polling area. The extended presence of voters well beyond typical business hours underscored the determination of the diaspora community to participate in this pivotal national decision. As night fell, the last remaining voters continued to wait, ensuring that those who arrived before the cutoff time could exercise their franchise.