Defining Vučić's regime in Serbia

The incumbent regime in Serbia, often described as a hybrid regime or competetive authoritarianism, remains in many respects unique. During the first two decades of the 21st century, the country underwent a highly turbulent transformation, which included a transition to electoral democracy followed by a gradual slide towards competitive authoritarianism, characterized by an uneven playing field between the ruling party and the opposition. The turning point of this regime transformation can be traced back to 2012, when both parliamentary and presidential elections took place. The key actor of the subsequent autocratization of Serbia is the current president, Aleksandar Vučić. The aim of this bachelor's thesis is to examine how this process of autocratization and the consolidation of competitive authoritarianism (2012-present) unfolded and to characterize the specific features of Vučić's regime in Serbia. Attention will also be given to the formation of opposition groups within civil society after 2012. Key Words: Serbia,Competitive authoritarianism,Democratic backsliding,Aleksandar Vučić,Western Balkans,Hybrid Regimes,Autocratization