May 1903 Serbian parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections were held in Serbia on 1 June [O.S. 19 May] 1903.[1] However, the elected members never convened due to the May Coup that occurred on 10–11 June [O.S. 28–29 May] 1903.

Background

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The elections were called after a self-coup by King Alexander I on 25 March.[1] Alexander first issued a royal proclamation suspending the 1901 constitution and disbanding the parliament elected in 1901. He then appointed new members to the Senate. Through a second proclamation 45 minutes later, he reinstated the constitution and called for fresh elections in May.[1]

The government prepared an agreed list of candidates, which included members of all existing parties, although only who were considered "moderate". The Radical Party boycotted the elections amidst a police crackdown on the opposition,[2] though some independent Liberals, Radicals and Progressives presented their own lists in some constituencies.[1]

Results

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PartyVotes%
Government lists182,53857.35
Radical and Progressive lists134,40042.23
Liberal lists1,3220.42
Total318,260100.00
Source: Mitrinović & Brasić[1]

Aftermath

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Due to the May Coup, during which both King Alexander I and Prime Minister Dimitrije Cincar-Marković were assassinated, a government was formed under Jovan Avakumović. The government reconvened the previous parliament with the intention of amending the constitution and to elect a new king.[1] Fresh elections were held in September 1903 under a new constitution.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Cedomil Mitrinović and Milos N. Brasić (1937). "Yugoslavian National Assembly and Parliaments". pp. 140–141.
  2. ^ André Gerrits & Dirk Jan Wolffram (2005). Political Democracy and Ethnic Diversity in Modern European History. Stanford University Press. p. 40. ISBN 978-0-8047-4976-3.