How do social movements take the “electoral turn” in unfavourable contexts? The case of “Do Not Let Belgrade D(r)own”

Abstract

ABSTRACT In recent years, researchers have investigated many cases of new left social movements’ “electoral turns” in relatively favourable contexts that are open for new actors. This article explains how new left movements decide to enter the electoral competition despite an unfavourable context and low electoral prospects, based on the case study of “Do Not Let Belgrade D(r)own”, a municipalist initiative in Serbia. The article investigates in particular the role of eventful protests in changing activists’ perceptions of the electoral strategy and describes activists’ strategic framing in communicating the “electoral turn”.