1886 Serbian parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections were held in Serbia on 26 April 1886.[1]

Background

A new government was formed in Serbia in early 1886. Attempts by Jovan Ristić to form a government failed after King Milan refused to dissolve Parliament on the grounds that it was not a good time to have a general election during the Bulgarian Crisis.[2] It was also thought that whoever controlled the government would be able to influence the election results.[2]

However, after Milutin Garašanin formed a government, the King granted his request to dissolve Parliament.[1]

Aftermath

The new Parliament opened in July.[3] Whilst Ristić could not be elected due to being in receipt of a government pension, his supporters won around 15 seats, with the remainder of the 78 opposition seats being held by members of the People's Radical Party.[3] Pro-government groups held 82 seats, although 40 of them were appointed by the King.[3] However, prior to the election of a new government, the incumbent government had several opposition members arrested or disqualified from voting, reducing them to 68 seats.[3]

References

1. "The Eastern Crisis", The Times, 7 April 1886
2. "The Eastern Crisis", The Times, 6 April 1886
3. "Servia", The Times, 15 July 1886