ABSTRACT
Since the reintroduction of a multiparty system in 1990, local elections in Serbia have been characterized by two main features – the dominance of national-level politics over local elections and frequent changes of electoral rules. Three phases can be identified. The first (1990–2000) was characterized by the dominance of post-Communist successor the Socialist Party of Serbia, heavy suppression of the emerging opposition, and the violent breakup of Yugoslavia. The local level electoral system was majoritarian. The second phase (2000–2012) was an era of democratization and exit from international isolation. It saw dominance of the previous democratic opposition, as well as gradual recovery of the old regime. CLPR was introduced in 2004, and this was the only time that mayors were elected directly. The third phase (since 2012) is characterized by the dominance of the catch-all Serbian Progressive Party, which runs almost all municipalities. This culminated in the opposition boycott of the 2020 elections at all levels.
