What Vucic’s defeat means for Serbia’s foreign policy

What the report says

Serbia is entering a political transition after Sunday’s election ended 14 years of rule by President Aleksandar Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party, according to Al Jazeera. The report says the opposition Student List won a historic victory, raising questions about whether Belgrade will change course on foreign policy as the country moves toward presidential elections in December.

Analysts quoted by the outlet said any shift is likely to be slow because the new authorities will first have to address domestic problems. Those include restoring confidence in democratic institutions, the judiciary, prosecution service, police and media, as well as managing a turbulent handover of power. The article adds that relations with neighbouring states such as Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo have been strained under Vucic, and that repairing those ties will be important for Serbia’s broader stability and its European Union aspirations.

On Russia and Ukraine, the piece says Serbia’s balancing act is expected to continue in some form. Under Vucic, Belgrade refused to join EU sanctions on Moscow while also allowing indirect ammunition flows to Ukraine. Experts told Al Jazeera that the new government may reduce pro-Russian rhetoric and review intelligence and media ties, but is unlikely to adopt a sharply anti-Russian stance.

The report also says Serbia’s close partnership with Israel will likely come under review, especially recent contracts involving ammunition and surveillance equipment. Overall, the article argues that Belgrade may re-evaluate its strategy of keeping multiple foreign-policy options open, but domestic consolidation will come before any major geopolitical realignment.