Serbian ruling party faces snap Sunday vote after outrage over shootings

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic attends a rally of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) ahead of parliamentary election in Belgrade's Stark Arena, Serbia, December 2, 2023. REUTERS/Marko Djurica/File Photo

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has dropped in on ordinary Serbs in a folksy tour around the country to secure another term in power for his populist party in a snap election on Sunday largely prompted by public outrage over mass shootings.

After two shooting attacks in May that left 18 people dead including nine elementary school students and teenagers, street protests rattled Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party's more than decade-long grip on power in the West Balkan republic.