Serbia Elections: Student List Challenges 14 Year Ruling

Serbia has entered a parliamentary election that political observers describe as the first genuinely competitive contest in the 14 years since the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) assumed power.

On the evening before the vote, thousands gathered in Belgrade for the final campaign rally of the Student List. This coalition of candidates emerged from a student movement that has protested the government for nearly two years. Many attendees had traveled to the capital on foot from across the country, arriving after days of walking to demonstrate solidarity. Arsa Stojanovic, a biology student, addressed the crowd by noting that the walkers had traversed the nation, engaging with villagers and residents who expressed confidence in the movement. Aleksandar Cupic, a transport engineering professor and candidate for the Student List, told the audience that the atmosphere "smells like freedom." The event concluded with a traditional circle dance known as a kolo.

The student movement’s political platform centers on accountability following the collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station in November 2024. That disaster killed 16 people and became a symbol of institutional failure. The students have attempted to bridge traditional ideological and foreign policy divides to present a unified front against corruption.

Dusan Spasojevic, a political scientist, stated that these are the first elections since Aleksandar Vucic took power in 2012 with an uncertain outcome. He noted that current polls indicate the Student List could win more than 40 percent of the vote. In contrast, the SNS held a separate rally nearby, arguing that its continued rule ensures stability and prosperity. Former President Vucic warned that a change in government risks chaos and accused opponents of serving foreign interests. He claimed that adversaries had attacked the party with billions of euros and tried to destroy the country on foreign orders.

The campaign was marked by a high level of tension. By the final week, the independent monitoring group CRTA recorded 116 incidents involving physical violence or verbal threats. These incidents included physical confrontations, attacks on campaigners, and attempts to seize campaign banners. CRTA reported that opposition activists, particularly those linked to the Student List, faced surveillance and police questioning. The group noted that police were often slow to protect opposition candidates and their supporters.

CRTA declared the campaign neither free nor fair, citing a narrowing of freedoms and deepening inequality. Its analysis found that nearly three-quarters of political airtime on national television was allocated to government representatives. Furthermore, more than 80 percent of coverage regarding the Student List was negative. The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network published testimony from a former SNS member describing pressure placed on public-sector employees to deliver votes. Anonymous sources told Deutsche Welle that voters were offered between 30 and 150 euros, and in some cases holiday packages, to support the SNS. Independent media also reported on alleged links between party associates and criminal networks, though Spasojevic expressed doubt that these revelations would alter the final result.

Authorities have warned of potential turbulence following the vote. For weeks, officials alleged that students, aided by foreign intelligence services, were preparing for street violence. Several individuals have been arrested on suspicion of plotting disturbances for election night. Spasojevic suggested that a decisive victory for either side would be the best scenario, but polls point to a narrow margin that could trigger a post-election crisis. He added that a narrow SNS victory would likely be contested, as the movement has vowed to defend every vote.

Spasojevic emphasized that the international response, particularly from the European Union, could help prevent escalation and persuade authorities to accept defeat. An EU Commission spokesperson stated that key recommendations for improving Serbia's electoral framework remain unimplemented. The spokesperson stressed that democracy and the rule of law are central to the accession process, noting that Serbia has held candidate status since 2012.