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October 17, 2026

Serbia: State employees acting as party bots during work — FrontPages.eu, October 17, 2026

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With elections days away, an investigation by Vreme alleges that hundreds of public sector workers are spending their office hours operating as a bot army for the ruling Progressive Party (SNS). The reports of state-funded digital campaigning come as the country prepares for a vote on October 25, a date drawing historic comparisons to the events of October 5. The legal scrutiny around the leadership is tightening elsewhere. The Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office has forwarded a criminal complaint against President Aleksandar Vucic regarding illegal pardons to a higher court, while a Serbian IT expert has offered a $50,000 reward for information on who has been pardoned. Separately, prosecutors have opened an inquiry into the wealth of SNS operative Vladimir Mandic following reports of property acquisitions in Serbia and Montenegro. The pre-election atmosphere has grown increasingly difficult for the press. Ten journalists from the independent TV N1 resigned this week following management changes, and the Association of Electronic Media warned that ruling party rallies have become unsafe for reporters. At one such rally in Novi Sad, the Ministry of Interior and independent monitors are already engaged in the traditional dispute over whether the crowd was as large as the government claimed.

Top Stories

An analysis by Vreme alleges that hundreds of public institution employees are being paid with public money to work as a bot army for the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) during their official work hours.

Vreme: Paid With Public Money, They Bot for SNS

Hundreds of public institution employees are working for the Serbian Progressive Party's (SNS) bot army during work hours, according to an analysis by Vreme.

Nenad Milanović, a Serbian IT expert, has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the confirmed names of 26 individuals secretly pardoned by former President Aleksandar Vučić at the end of his presidential term. Separately, Srđan Milivojević, President of the Democratic Party, announced that the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office has forwarded a criminal complaint against Aleksandar Vučić to the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office concerning these alleged illegal pardons.

Vreme: Serbian Billionaire Offers $50,000 for Information on Vučić's Pardons

Nenad Milanović, a Serbian IT expert based in the US, is offering $50,000 for information about who President Aleksandar Vučić has pardoned, with strictly defined rules for this 'contest'.

Insajder: Srđan Milivojević: Supreme prosecution forwarded criminal complaint against…

Srđan Milivojević reports that the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office has transferred a criminal complaint against Aleksandar Vučić to the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office concerning illegal pardons.

An investigation by Nova reveals how Vladimir Mandić, an operative of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), is allegedly accumulating significant assets through property purchases in Serbia and Montenegro and receiving large payments from neighboring countries.

Nova: INVESTIGATION: How SNS Operative Vladimir Mandić Amasses Wealth, Buys Property…

An investigation reveals how Vladimir Mandić, an operative of the SNS party, is accumulating significant assets through property purchases in Serbia and Montenegro and receiving large payments from neighboring countries.

Ten journalists from TV N1 have resigned, citing changes in the company's management within the editorial team. Concurrently, the Association of Electronic Media (ANEM) has reported that election rallies held by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) have become unsafe environments for independent journalists.

Vreme: Ten Journalists from TV N1 Resign

Ten journalists from TV N1 have resigned, confirming to Vreme, marking an outcome of changes in the company's management within the editorial team.

N1: ANEM: SNS election rallies have become a dangerous place for independent…

The Association of Electronic Media (ANEM) reports that election rallies held by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) have become unsafe for independent journalists.

The prosecution has initiated an investigation based on the testimony of a former Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) activist provided to BIRN.

N1: Prosecution launches investigation into former SNS activist's claims for BIRN

The prosecution is initiating an investigation based on the testimony of a former SNS activist provided to BIRN.

With less than a week until elections, analyses compare the upcoming vote to the historical October 5th event. A political campaign expert highlights that candidates often prioritize voter ratings over other data. Francis Fukuyama, an Olivier Nomellini Senior Fellow at Stanford University, views the Serbian elections as a crucial test against rising authoritarianism, while a Stanford panel discussed the elections as a 'captured field, open competition' and noted the presence of 'fake foreign…

Danas: Elections are less than a week away: Similarities and differences with October…

An article analyzes the upcoming elections in Serbia, drawing comparisons to the historical October 5th event and discussing the relevance of such comparisons.

Insajder: Campaign expert: Politicians focus on ratings, ignore other data

In the midst of the election campaign, a political campaign expert states that candidates often prioritize voter ratings over other important data, and highlights the importance of clear messaging and organization for undecided voters.

Insajder: Novica Tončev interview: SPS is indestructible, seeks support to implement…

Novica Tončev, in an interview, describes the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) as "indestructible" and asserts that the party has always been a junior partner in government, now seeking support to enact its program.

Vreme: "Serbia Before the Election": Vreme's Final Forum in Kraljevo

A discussion focused on the election day of October 25th, expectations before the vote, civic courage and activism, and issues of defending the election will be held.

Vreme: Stanford Panel on Serbian Elections: "Captured Field, Open Competition"

Program director of CRTA, Raša Nedeljkov, stated that 'fake foreign observers' linked to MAGA and Russian right-wing movements will attend the Serbian parliamentary elections on October 25th at an online panel hosted by Stanford University.

Insajder: Francis Fukuyama: Serbian elections are a key test against rising…

Francis Fukuyama states that the upcoming elections in Serbia represent a crucial test for resisting the rise of authoritarianism in the country.

Insajder: Professor: Authorities promote strong personality cult without a program

A professor from the Faculty of Political Sciences criticizes the ruling party for promoting a cult of personality instead of a program, describing a recent rally as President Vučić's irrational demonstration of 'daring'.

The Archive of Public Rallies and the Ministry of Interior have released figures regarding the number of attendees at former President Vučić's recent rally in Novi Sad, prompting further political commentary.

Nova: Archive of Public Rallies Claims Vučić Rally in Novi Sad Had Specific Crowd Size

The Archive of Public Rallies has released figures on the number of attendees at President Vučić's rally in Novi Ssad, prompting subsequent reports from the Ministry of Interior and political commentary on the attendance.

Nova: Interior Ministry States Crowd Size at SNS Rally in Novi Sad

The Ministry of Interior has announced the number of people present at the SNS rally held in Novi Sad.

The future government in Serbia will confront significant energy and geopolitical challenges, including a three-month gas supply agreement and the precarious situation of Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS), whose fate is said to depend on decisions from the American side. A report also highlights growing economic hardship, with nearly half a million people living in poverty and citizens increasingly seeking food and basic necessities. [cite: N1, "Serbia's Energy Equation: Gas for three months, NIS…

N1: Serbia's Energy Equation: Gas for three months, NIS on the edge

The future government in Serbia faces significant energy and geopolitical challenges, including a three-month gas supply agreement and the precarious situation of NIS (Naftna Industrija Srbije).

Danas: Citizens increasingly seeking food and basic necessities; nearly half a…

A report highlights the growing economic hardship in Serbia, stating that many citizens are increasingly looking for food and essential items, with approximately 500,000 people living in poverty.

N1: Who determines NIS's fate? 'American side holds the key to the solution.'

The future of NIS is contingent on decisions made by the American side, which holds the key to a resolution.

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