Serbia Elects as Student List Seeks to Unseat Longstanding Ruling Party

Serbians went to the polls on Sunday for a parliamentary election that political analysts describe as the most competitive in the 14 years since the Serbian Progressive Party, or SNS, took control of the government. The election follows a two year period of mass protests and heightened political tension.

Thousands of supporters gathered in Belgrade on Thursday evening for the final campaign rally of the Student List, a coalition of candidates backed by a student movement. Many attendees had walked for days from various regions of the country to the capital, creating a display of solidarity. Arsa Stojanovic, a biology student, told the crowd that the group had traveled across the nation and found support in villages and neighborhoods. Aleksandar Cupic, a transport engineering professor and candidate, stated that the atmosphere smelled like freedom. The event concluded with a traditional circle dance known as a kolo.

The movement originated after a concrete canopy collapsed at the Novi Sad railway station in November 2024, an accident that killed 16 people. Student leaders have framed the election as a mechanism to address corruption and demand accountability for the disaster. They have sought to unify voters by moving beyond traditional ideological and foreign policy divisions that have historically defined Serbian politics.

Dusan Spasojevic, a political scientist, noted that these are the first elections since Aleksandar Vucic assumed power in 2012 with an uncertain outcome. He indicated that current polling data suggests the Student List may secure more than 40 percent of the vote. In contrast, the SNS held a separate closing rally where leaders emphasized stability and continuity. Former President Vucic argued that opponents were acting on foreign orders to undermine the country and had attacked the ruling party with billions of euros.

The campaign was marked by a rise in incidents tracked by the independent monitoring group CRTA. By the final week, the organization recorded 116 instances of physical violence or verbal threats, including attacks on campaigners and attempts to seize banners. CRTA reported that opposition activists, particularly those associated with the Student List, faced surveillance and police questioning. The group stated that the campaign was not free or fair, citing a narrowing of freedoms. Its findings showed that nearly three quarters of national television airtime went to government representatives, while over 80 percent of coverage regarding the Student List was negative.

The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network published accounts from a former SNS member describing pressure on public sector employees to secure votes. Anonymous sources also reported that voters were offered sums between 30 and 150 euros, or family holiday packages, to support the SNS. Independent media outlets have published reports linking individuals connected to the party with criminal networks, though Spasojevic believes these revelations may not alter the final tally.

Authorities have warned that students, allegedly supported by foreign intelligence services, are preparing for street violence. Several individuals have been arrested on suspicion of plotting disturbances for election night. Spasojevic stated that a decisive victory for either side would be the best outcome, but current polling indicates a narrow margin that could lead to a post election crisis. He added that a close SNS victory would likely be contested, with the opposition movement vowing to defend every vote.

The European Union has positioned itself as a potential mediator in the aftermath. An EU Commission spokesperson noted that key recommendations to improve Serbia's electoral framework remain unimplemented and emphasized that democracy and the rule of law are central to the accession process. Serbia has held candidate status with the EU since 2012.