**Serbian Ruling Party Accused of Illegally Broadcasting Political Ad**
A controversy has erupted in Serbia as the opposition movement Go-Change (Kreni–Promeni) accused the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of abusing public office by broadcasting a political ad on TV stations with national licenses. The ad was aired over 2,000 times between March 25 and April 9, sparking outrage among critics.
**”Abuse of Public Office”**
According to Go-Change spokesperson Nikola Stankovic, the SNS had illegally broadcast a commercial promoting an upcoming rally of President Aleksandar Vucic’s supporters. The ad not only promoted the event but also attacked the opposition and discredited citizen protests. “This is a clear breach of the law,” Stankovic said, emphasizing that such conduct was a serious violation of electoral regulations.
**Law on Electronic Media**
The Law on Electronic Media explicitly states that political advertising is neither regulated nor permitted outside of an official election campaign. Go-Change has filed a complaint with the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) over the SNS’s actions, arguing that it was not public information but rather an abuse of publicly licensed airwaves.
**Focus on National Broadcasters**
While Stankovic noted that the ad was also aired on cable channels, the current complaint is focused solely on broadcasters with national and regional licenses. The Go-Change movement is seeking to hold the SNS accountable for its actions and ensure that public office is not abused in this manner.
**Rally Ahead**
The controversy comes as President Vucic’s supporters are set to rally in Belgrade from April 11 to 13. The event has sparked concerns among opposition groups, who fear the ad campaign may be an attempt to intimidate or silence dissenting voices.
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