Serbia Centre

Serbia Centre
Србија центар
AbbreviationSRCE
PresidentZdravko Ponoš
Vice-Presidents
Parliamentary leaderZdravko Ponoš
FounderZdravko Ponoš
Founded26 June 2022
Registered12 July 2023
Split fromPeople's Party
HeadquartersStojana Protića 48, Belgrade
IdeologyPro-Europeanism
Political positionCentre
Parliamentary groupSerbia Centre
Colours
  •   Blue
  •   Red
National Assembly
8 / 250
Assembly of Vojvodina
4 / 120
City Assembly of Belgrade
0 / 110
Website
srce-org.rs

Serbia Centre (Serbian: Србија центар, romanized: Srbija centar, abbr. SRCE, lit. 'heart') is a centrist political party in Serbia. It is led by Zdravko Ponoš, former chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces from 2006 to 2008.

Ponoš was the presidential candidate of the United for the Victory of Serbia alliance in the 2022 presidential election. Shortly after the election, SRCE was formed as a split from the People's Party. It became a registered political party in July 2023, after which it became a member of the Serbia Against Violence coalition that contested the parliamentary, Vojvodina provincial, and Belgrade City Assembly elections in December 2023. In those elections, SRCE gained representation in all bodies. However, they lost representation in the City Assembly of Belgrade because they boycotted the 2024 Belgrade City Assembly election.

SRCE is opposed to the ruling Serbian Progressive Party and supports the accession of Serbia to the European Union. It supports fighting climate change, increasing child allowance, and the reform of the pension system. Since the beginning of the student-led anti-corruption protests, SRCE has voiced its support for the students and have called for early parliamentary elections and the formation of a transitional government as an end to the crisis started by the protests.

History

Formation

Zdravko Ponoš, a member and former vice-president of the People's Party (Narodna),[1] was a candidate in the 2022 Serbian presidential election, on behalf of the United for the Victory of Serbia coalition.[2] He placed second behind incumbent president Aleksandar Vučić, winning 18% of the popular vote.[3] Following the election, he left Narodna and announced that he would work on creating a movement or political party.[4][5] Serbia Centre (SRCE) was founded on 26 June 2022,[6] while it was officially presented to the public on 6 July 2022.[7]

2022–present

After its inception, it cooperated with the Democratic Party (DS), Together, and Green–Left Front opposition parties.[8][9] Its offices in Vranje were attacked by an unknown group of assailants in February 2023.[10] SRCE supported the mass protests that began after the Belgrade school shooting and Mladenovac and Smederevo shootings in May 2023.[11] In August 2023, SRCE, DS, and Together signed a cooperation agreement.[12] SRCE became part of the Serbia Against Violence (SPN) coalition in October 2023, a coalition of political parties organising the 2023 protests.[13] SPN announced that it would contest the parliamentary, Vojvodina provincial, and Belgrade City Assembly elections, all scheduled for 17 December 2023.[14][15] In the parliamentary election, SPN won 65 seats,[16] nine of which went to SRCE.[17][18]

When the National Assembly of Serbia and Assembly of Vojvodina were constituted, the SPN split into several parliamentary groups.[19][20] The City Assembly of Belgrade, on the other hand, was not constituted because the quorum was not met during its constitutive session.[21] A new Belgrade City Assembly election was then called for 2 June.[22] SPN dissolved shortly after; SRCE opted not to take part in the election.[23][24]

Since the beginning of the student-led anti-corruption protests, SRCE has supported the students.[25][26] Following the resignation of Miloš Vučević as prime minister of Serbia in 2025, SRCE was one of the parties that supported the formation of a transitional government as an end to the crisis started by the protests.[27] The signatories said that according to their plan, the transitional government would fulfill student demands, organise free and fair elections, and revise the voter list.[28][29] SRCE has additionally called for early parliamentary elections.[30] In May 2025, Slobodan Ilić, a member of parliament, left SRCE, reducing their presence to eight seats.[31]

Ideology and platform

SRCE is a centrist political party.[32][33] According to Dušan Spasojević, a professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences, during the 2022 electoral campaign Ponoš had "quite unclear positions about key issues, but a shift to the left has been noticeable" (dosta nejasan oko ključnih pitanja, ali je sad primetno njegovo blago pomeranje ulevo) since the formation of SRCE.[33] It is opposed to the ruling Serbian Progressive Party,[7] accusing them of populism and allegedly "destroying the education" in Serbia.[34][35] SRCE has also expressed support for cooperation between opposition parties.[7][36] Following the Belgrade school shooting and Mladenovac and Smederevo shootings, SRCE expressed its support for the formation of a transitional government.[37][38] They have again called for the formation of a transitional government during the student-led anti-corruption protests.[28][29]

According to Marko Vujić, an assistant at the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Belgrade, SRCE is a "climate responsible" organisation that has an elaborate strategy to fight climate change.[39] SRCE supports declaring milk as a strategic product for Serbia and adopting measures that would revive the milk production sector.[40] It has criticised the government's approach towards workers at Zastava Arms in January 2023.[41] SRCE supports increasing child allowance,[42] while in October 2024 they submitted a Law on Stolen Babies.[43] They also support the reform of the pension system.[44] Regarding Belgrade, they oppose the demolition of Belgrade Fair.[45]

SRCE supports the accession of Serbia to the European Union.[7] In regards to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it supports "stepping away from what Russia is doing" (mora i da se odmakne od onoga što Rusija radi).[46] Ponoš has, however, accused Ukraine of trying to involve NATO into the war.[47]

Organisation

SRCE is led by Ponoš, its founder, who was elected at its assembly in October 2023 and re-elected again in October 2025.[6][48][49] Mihailo Brkić, Duško Lopandić, Slobodan Cvejić, Tatjana Marković Topalović, and Slobodan Petrović serve as vice-presidents.[49] Its headquarters is at Stojana Protića 48, Belgrade.[50] Ponoš also serves as the president of its parliamentary group in the National Assembly.[51]

Ponoš announced in March 2023 that SRCE would begin collecting signatures to register as a political party.[52][53] In June 2023, SRCE announced that they had collected 10,000 signatures that are needed for the registration.[54] On 12 July 2023, it was registered as political party.[50]

List of presidents

# President Birth–Death Term start Term end
1 Zdravko Ponoš 1962– 26 June 2022 Incumbent

Electoral performance

Parliamentary elections

National Assembly of Serbia
Year Leader Popular vote % of popular vote # # of seats Seat change Coalition Status Ref.
2023 Zdravko Ponoš 902,450 24.32% 2nd
9 / 250
 9 SPN Opposition [55]

Provincial elections

Assembly of Vojvodina
Year Leader Popular vote % of popular vote # # of seats Seat change Coalition Status Ref
2023 Zdravko Ponoš 215,197 22.55% 2nd
4 / 120
 4 SPN Opposition [56]

Belgrade City Assembly elections

City Assembly of Belgrade
Year Leader Popular vote % of popular vote # # of seats Seat change Coalition Status Ref.
2023 Zdravko Ponoš 325,429 35.39% 2nd
4 / 120
 4 SPN Snap election [57]
2024 Election boycott
0 / 250
 4 – Extra-parliamentary –

References

  1. ^ "Ponoš o napuštanju predsedništva NS: Nisam spreman na "trule kompromise"" [Ponoš about leaving the NS presidency: I'm not ready for "rotten compromises"]. N1 (in Serbian). 25 November 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Ujedinjena Srbija predstavila kandidate za predsednika i premijerku Srbije, gradonačelnika Beograda" [United Serbia presented candidates for president and prime minister of Serbia, mayor of Belgrade]. Voice of America (in Serbian). 2 February 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  3. ^ "RIK usvojio konačne rezultate predsedničkih izbora" [REC adopted the final results of the presidential elections]. Danas (in Serbian). 9 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Zdravko Ponoš napustio Narodnu stranku" [Zdravko Ponoš left the People's Party]. Politika (in Serbian). 5 April 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  5. ^ Živić, Miona (17 April 2022). "Ponoš: Radim na okupljanju ljudi, šta god da radim, to mora da bude timska stvar" [Ponoš: I work on bringing people together, whatever I do, it has to be a team thing]. N1 (in Serbian). Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Ponoš i zvanično izabran za predsednika pokreta SRCE" [Ponoš is officially elected president of the SRCE movement]. N1 (in Serbian). 4 December 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d "Zdravko Ponoš predstavio novu stranku Srbija centar – SRCE" [Zdravko Ponoš presented the new party Serbia Center - SRCE]. Radio Television of Serbia (in Serbian). 6 July 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Ponoš najavio osnivanje stranke" [Ponoš announced the founding of the party]. Blic (in Serbian). 23 March 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  9. ^ Živić, Miona (1 April 2023). "Tribina u kafani: "Koliko se vidi Leskovac iz Beograda? Ne vidi se od Vučića"" [Tribune in the pub: "How far can you see Leskovac from Belgrade? You can't see it from Vučić"]. N1 (in Serbian). Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  10. ^ "Pokret Srce: Napadnute prostorije gradskog odbora u Vranju" [The Heart Movement: The premises of the city council in Vranje were attacked]. Južne vesti (in Serbian). 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Ponoš: Podržavamo protest "Srbija protiv nasilja" jer je to građanski bunt" [Ponoš: We support the "Serbia against violence" protest because it is a civil rebellion]. N1 (in Serbian). 8 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  12. ^ "DS, SRCE, Zajedno i Rumunska partija potpisali Deklaraciju o saradnji" [DS, SRCE, Together, and the Romanian part sign a Declaration on Cooperation]. N1 (in Serbian). 30 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  13. ^ Dragojlo, Saša (27 October 2023). "Serbia's Pro-European Opposition Makes Unity Pact for Elections". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  14. ^ Milovančević, Vojislav (27 October 2023). "Opozicija postigla dogovor o nastupu na izborima: Saopšteno ko su kandidati i nosioci lista" [The opposition reached an agreement on participation in the elections: It was announced who the candidates and representatives of the list are]. NOVA portal (in Serbian). Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  15. ^ Milovančević, Vojislav; Latković, Nataša (3 November 2023). "Šta piše u koalicionom sporazumu liste "Srbija protiv nasilja"" [What is written in the coalition agreement of the list "Serbia against violence"]. NOVA portal (in Serbian). Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  16. ^ "CeSID i IPSOS obradili 99,8 odsto uzorka: SNS-u 128 mandata, SPN-u 65" [CeSID and IPSOS processed 99.8 percent of the sample: SNS 128 mandates, SPN 65]. N1 (in Serbian). 18 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  17. ^ "Izlasci i prelasci u Skupštini Srbije: Poslaničke grupe izmenjene zbog "prelaznog roka", ko je sada najjači" [Exits and transitions in the Parliament of Serbia: Parliamentary groups changed due to the "transitional period", who is now the strongest]. NIN (in Serbian). 24 November 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  18. ^ "U Skupštini Srbije formirano 16 poslaničkih grupa" [16 parliamentary groups were formed in the Serbian Parliament]. Radio Television of Serbia (in Serbian). 10 March 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  19. ^ Bogosavljević, Žarko (23 February 2024). "Ko je sve u Skupštini Vojvodine: Od "Srbije protiv nasilja" nastale četiri poslaničke grupe" [Who's in the Assembly of Vojvodina: Four parliamentary groups emerged from "Serbia against violence".]. 021.rs (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  20. ^ "U Skupštini Srbije formirano 16 poslaničkih grupa" [16 parliamentary groups were formed in the Serbian Parliament]. Radio Television of Serbia (in Serbian). 10 March 2024. Archived from the original on 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  21. ^ "Skupština Beograda nije formirana, ide se na nove izbore" [The Assembly of Belgrade has not been formed, new elections will be held]. Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). 3 March 2024. Archived from the original on 18 March 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  22. ^ "Raspisani lokalni izbori u Srbiji za 2. jun" [Local elections in Serbia announced for 2 June]. Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). 26 April 2024. Archived from the original on 15 May 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Ponoš: Za nas izbori ne postoje, stranke koje izlaze pristaju na mrvice" [Ponoš: There are no elections for us, the parties that come out agree to the crumbs]. N1 (in Serbian). 16 May 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  24. ^ Cvetković, Ljudmila; Glavonjić, Zoran (24 April 2024). "Bojkot ili ne, opozicija podeljena oko beogradskih izbora" [Boycott or not, the opposition is divided over the Belgrade elections]. Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  25. ^ "Srbija centar: Režim proganja studente u zemlji i zabranjuje ulazak onima iz drugih država" [Serbia Centre: The regime persecutes students in the country and forbids the entry of those from other countries]. N1 (in Serbian). 23 April 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  26. ^ "Opozicija o protestima, studentskim zahtevima i reakciji vlasti" [The opposition on protests, student demands and the government's reaction]. Danas (in Serbian). 30 June 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  27. ^ "Deo parlamentarne opozicije predlaže vladu narodnog poverenja" [Part of the parliamentary opposition proposes a government of people's trust]. Radio Television of Serbia (in Serbian). 20 March 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  28. ^ a b "Opozicija predlaže prelaznu vladu narodnog poverenja: Ponuđen sporazum" [The opposition proposes a transitional government of people's trust: An agreement is offered]. Danas (in Serbian). 20 March 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  29. ^ a b Milovančević, Vojislav (20 March 2025). "Vlada narodnog poverenja da se što pre formira: Ovo je tekst dokumenta koji je opozicija predstavila u Skupštini" [Government of the People's Trust to be formed as soon as possible: This is the text of the document presented by the opposition in the Parliament]. NOVA portal (in Serbian). Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  30. ^ "SRCE: Izbori jedini način da se kriza reši mirno" [SRCE: Elections are the only way to resolve the crisis peacefully]. N1 (in Serbian). 7 May 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  31. ^ "Poslanik Slobodan Ilić napustio stranku Zdravka Ponoša" [MP Slobodan Ilić left the party of Zdravko Ponoš]. N1 (in Serbian). 16 May 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  32. ^ Panović, Zoran (4 October 2022). "Svi naši pokreti" [All our movements]. Demostat (in Serbian). Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  33. ^ a b Kojić, Nikola (6 December 2022). "Zašto raste podrška desnici, gde šansu vidi levica i kako je SNS zauzeo centar" [Why is support for the right growing, where does the left see a chance, and how did the SNS take the centre?]. N1 (in Serbian). Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  34. ^ "Pokret SRCE: Vlast se sve više okreće populističkim ekonomskim merama" [The SRCE Movement: The government is increasingly turning to populist economic measures]. NOVA portal (in Serbian). 30 June 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  35. ^ "Srbija centar: SNS se potrudila ne samo da "ubije" obrazovanje, već i da obesmisli rad stručnih, nadležnih tela" [Serbia Centre: SNS tried not only to "kill" education, but also to render meaningless the work of professional, competent bodies]. NOVA portal (in Serbian). 19 April 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  36. ^ "Ponoš: Srbija Centar se zalaže za ulazak Srbije u EU i za saradnju medju opozicionim strankama" [Ponoš: Serbia Centre advocates for Serbia's entry into the EU and for cooperation between opposition parties]. Novinska agencija Beta (in Serbian). 6 July 2022. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  37. ^ "Ponoš: Treba nam prelazna vlada za mirnu tranziciju iz krize ka normalnosti" [Ponoš: We need a transitional government for a peaceful transition from crisis to normality]. N1 (in Serbian). 26 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  38. ^ Valtner, Lidija (25 May 2023). "Još se ne zna kako će "Vučić pasti": Da li bi prelazna vlada bila dobar zahtev opozicije?" [It is not yet known how "Vučić" will fall: Would a transitional government be a good request of the opposition?]. Danas (in Serbian). Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  39. ^ "Političke stranke "preko noći" postaju ekološke" [Political parties become ecological "overnight"]. Nova Ekonomija (in Serbian). 16 January 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  40. ^ "Srbija centar: Država da proglasi mleko strateškim proizvodom" [Serbia Centre: The state should declare milk a strategic product]. Danas (in Serbian). 5 September 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  41. ^ Vučković, Branko (19 January 2023). "Godine raspleta obeležene štrajkovima u kragujevačkom 'Zastava oružju'" [Years of unraveling marked by strikes in Kragujevac's "Zastava Oružje"]. Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  42. ^ "Srbija centar: Svako deseto dete u Srbiji u siromaštvu, povećati dečji dodatak" [Serbia Centre: Every tenth child in Serbia is in poverty, increase the child allowance]. N1 (in Serbian). 3 February 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  43. ^ "Poslanička grupa Srbija centra podnela Predlog zakona o ukradenim bebama Skupštini Srbije" [Parliamentary Group of Serbia Centre submitted the Law on Stolen Babies to the Parliament of Serbia]. NOVA portal (in Serbian). 18 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  44. ^ "Goran Joksimović (SRCE): Neophodna reforma penzijskog sistema" [Goran Joksimović (SRCE): Necessary reform of the pension system]. Danas (in Serbian). 28 May 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  45. ^ "Stranka Srbija centar: Početak rušenja Beogradskog sajma po modelu Hercegovačke" [Party Serbia Centre: The beginning of the demolition of the Belgrade fair on the model of Herzegovina]. Danas (in Serbian). 16 July 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  46. ^ "Srbija da bude u saglasju sa okruženjem, odmaći se od onoga što Rusija radi" [Serbia should be in harmony with the environment, move away from what Russia is doing]. NOVA portal (in Serbian). 20 July 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  47. ^ "Ponoš: Moskva signalizira - spremna za razgovore, Zelenski hoće da uvuče NATO" [Ponoš: Moscow is signaling - ready for talks, Zelensky wants to involve NATO]. N1 (in Serbian). 17 November 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  48. ^ "Ponoš i zvanično predsednik stranke: Opozicija mora da se ujedini i bolje organizuje" [Ponoš is officially the president of the party: The opposition must unite and organise better]. N1 (in Serbian). 1 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  49. ^ a b "Ponoš ponovo predsednik stranke SRCE, poručio: Potreban širok front za obaranje vlasti SNS-a" [Ponoš, once again the president of the SRCE party, said: A broad front is needed to overthrow the SNS government]. NOVA portal (in Serbian). 5 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  50. ^ a b "Izvod iz registra političkih stranaka" [Extract from the register of political parties] (PDF). Ministry of State Administration and Local Self-Government (in Serbian). 25 July 2023. p. 19. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  51. ^ "Poslanička grupa SRBIJA CENTAR - SRCE" [Parliamentary group SERBIA CENTRE - SRCE]. National Assembly of Serbia (in Serbian). Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  52. ^ Živić, Miona (22 March 2023). "Ponoš najavio osnivanje političke stranke: Vreme je da napravimo korak dalje" [Ponoš announced the establishment of a political party: It is time to take a step further]. N1 (in Serbian). Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  53. ^ "Pokret SRCE počinje prikupljanje potpisa za registrovanje političke stranke" [The SRCE movement begins collecting signatures for the registration of a political party]. NOVA portal (in Serbian). 24 March 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  54. ^ "Pokret Srbija centar Zdravka Ponoša sakupio potpise za registraciju političke partije" [Movement Serbia Centre of Zdravko Ponoš collected signatures for the registration of a political party]. Danas (in Serbian). 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  55. ^ Kovačević, Miladin (2024). Izbori za narodne poslanike Narodne skupštine Republike Srbije [Elections for deputies of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia] (PDF) (in Serbian). Belgrade: Republički zavod za statistiku. p. 8–9. ISBN 978-86-6161-252-7. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  56. ^ "Izveštaj o sprovedenim izborima za poslanike Skupštine Autonomne pokrajine Vojvodine održanim 17. i 30. decembra 2023. godine" [Report on the conducted elections for deputies to the Assembly of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina held on December 17 and 30, 2023] (PDF). Provincial Electoral Commission (in Serbian). 30 January 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  57. ^ "Izveštaj o rezultatima izbora za odbornike Skupštine Grada Beograda" [Report on the results of the elections for councillors of the City of Belgrade Assembly] (PDF). City of Belgrade. 3 January 2024. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 April 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
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