United for the Victory of Serbia

Shortly before the beginning of the protests in 2018, the Alliance for Serbia (SzS) was formed, as an initiative of Dragan Đilas.[1] It was a major opposition alliance, that played a key role in Serbian politics until its dissolution in 2020.[2] The coalition boycotted the 2020 parliamentary election, claiming that "there were no conditions for free and fair elections".[3] Most of the parties decided to continue their cooperation, which led to the formation of the United Opposition of Serbia (UOPS) in August 2020.[4] It remained unstable and was challenged with inter-party problems, which led to its dissolution that took place between December 2020 and January 2021.[5][6] It then split into two blocs, one that was gathered around the Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP), and the other bloc gathered around the People's Party (NS).[7][8]

Representatives of the coalition (from left to right): Zdravko Ponoš, Marinika Tepić, and Vladeta Janković

Later during 2021, the parties resumed their cooperation.[9][10] During October, it was revealed to the public that SSP would begin the formation of another coalition for the upcoming general election.[11] Talks were held during November,[12] after which it was revealed that the parties have reached an agreement on 23 November.[13] It was also revealed that Marinika Tepić would head the parliamentary list.[14] During the talks, Zdravko Ponoš stated that he would run for the presidency if "opposition parties unite themselves",[15] and in January 2022, he was proposed by SSP as joint presidential candidate.[16] Other members of the coalition confirmed their support during the following days.[17][18] Vladeta Janković was also chosen as their ballot carrier for the Belgrade City Assembly election.[19] The coalition was formalized on 2 February.[20][21]

Following the dissolution of the National Assembly on 15 February, the United Serbia coalition began collecting signatures in order to submit their ballot lists.[22] The ballot list for the parliamentary election was submitted on 18 February, with the name "United for the Victory of Serbia", which was supported by 13,007 valid signatures.[23][24] The coalition began its electoral campaign on 22 February, with its first rally in Niš.[25] Since then, the coallition has held rallies in other cities across Serbia, such as Belgrade, Valjevo, Prokuplje, Aleksinac, Sremska Mitrovica, Kruševac and Novi Pazar. RIK confirmed Ponoš's candidature on 6 March.[26][27] Its last campaign rally was held on the Nikola Pašić Square, Belgrade on 31 March.[28] The coalition placed second in the general elections.[29]

Following the election, Ponoš left the People's Party.[30] A week later, Đilas met with Aleksandar Vučić in order to discuss the outcome of the Belgrade City Assembly election.[31] The People's Party criticized the move, while Zoran Lutovac, president of the Democratic Party, said that Đilas did not consult with other coalition members before the meeting.[32][33] Tepić accused the People's Party of populism.[34] Lutovac has also stated that "United for the Victory of Serbia was just a pre-election coalition", and that he would prefer to create a wide alliance of moderate parties.[35] Regarding the parliamentary groups, Lutovac said that the parties would not form a joint parliamentary group that would be composed of parties inside the coalition.[36] Pavle Grbović, the leader of the Movement of Free Citizens, stated that his party might leave the coalition in order to continue alone.[37] He had later stated that the coalition "practically doesn't exist anymore".[38]