Serbia’s Vucic Accused of “Vote-Buying” With Cash Pledges

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced a set of financial payments for all adult citizens in Serbia, alongside subsidies for various groups – leaving critics wondering whether the measures are an attempt at vote-buying. In early July, Vucic announced during an appearance on RTS that the state would likely provide financial assistance to all citizens aged 18 or older, emphasising that the funds would not come from the state budget. Two weeks later Vucic gave more detail during a Morning programme on TV Prva, announcing two payments for adults scheduled for September. “Payments will be made to pensioners and to those entitled to benefits under the pensioners’ welfare system. Separate payments will be made to those receiving social benefits. On top of all that, we are also proceeding with this payment from the Share Fund for all adult citizens, which we would not be able to do without adding around 150 million euros from the budget,” Vucic said. Subscribe to Balkan Insight Premium to read the full article. Please login to your account below if you are already a Premium Subscriber. Buy Premium Subscription Our Premium Service gives you full access to all content published on BalkanInsight.com, including analyses, investigations, comments, interviews and more. Choose your subscription today and get unparalleled in-depth coverage of the Southern and Eastern Europe. Buy Premium Subscription If you have trouble logging in or any other questions regarding you account, please contact us