Serbia’s ruling party declares victory in parliamentary elections

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Serbia’s ruling party claimed victory in parliamentary elections held Sunday.

The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) has won 47% of the vote with half of the votes counted, said Prime Minister Ana Brnabic.

The coalition Serbia Against Violence (SPN) got 23%, while the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), the SNS's ruling partner, received 6.7%, she said.

Brnabic added that the SNS won more than 125 seats in the 250-seat Serbian Parliament.

A total of 126 seats are needed for a majority in the assembly.

The SNS has been in power since 2012.

According to the Republic Election Commission, turnout was over 51.93% two hours before polling stations closed.

Serbia held snap general and local elections on Sunday for the country's 250-seat parliament, 120-member Assembly of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and municipal councils.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. local time (0600GMT) and closed at 8 p.m. (1900GMT) for around 6.5 million eligible voters.

Voting took place at 8,273 election centers in Serbia and 81 election centers in 35 other countries.