Serbia Election: Student List Challenges 14 Year Ruling

Serbian voters face a decisive Sunday ballot that could end a 14 year run by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). The Student List, a coalition formed by a student movement, enters the race with polls suggesting a potential share of more than 40 percent. This projection places them in a position to challenge the incumbent government directly. The result will determine whether the country maintains its current political stability or shifts toward a new administration.

The political shift began in November 2024 when a concrete canopy collapsed at the Novi Sad railway station. The disaster killed 16 people and sparked widespread protests that continued for almost two years. Students framed the incident as evidence of institutional failure and corruption. The movement positioned the upcoming vote as a mechanism to demand accountability for the tragedy.

On Thursday evening, thousands gathered in Belgrade for the Student List's final campaign rally. Many participants walked for days from various regions to reach the capital. Biology student Arsa Stojanovic told the crowd that the group had visited villages and neighborhoods across the country. He stated that the walkers learned they could count on the people. Aleksandar Cupic, a transport engineering professor and candidate, described the atmosphere by saying it "smells like freedom." The evening concluded with a kolo, a traditional circle dance.

The ruling SNS held a separate closing rally a few kilometers away. The party emphasized stability, continuity, and prosperity as its core message. It warned that a change in government could lead to chaos. Former President Aleksandar Vucic addressed supporters, claiming opponents had attacked the party with billions of euros on foreign orders. The SNS portrayed the election as a struggle for the nation's sovereignty.

The campaign period was marked by conflict. The independent monitoring group CRTA recorded 116 incidents of physical violence or verbal threats by the final week. These incidents included physical confrontations and attacks on campaigners. CRTA reported that opposition activists faced surveillance and police questioning. The group stated that almost three-quarters of national television airtime went to government representatives. More than 80 percent of coverage regarding the Student List was negative.

Anonymous sources told Deutsche Welle that voters were offered between 30 and 150 euros to support the SNS. In some cases, holiday packages for families were also offered. The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network published testimony from a former SNS member describing pressure on public-sector employees to deliver votes. Authorities have warned that students, aided by foreign intelligence services, are preparing for street violence. Several individuals have been arrested on suspicion of plotting disturbances.

Political scientist Dusan Spasojevic described the election as the first competitive one since 2012. He noted that polls point to a narrow margin, which could lead to a post-election crisis. A narrow victory for the SNS would likely be contested, and the Student List has vowed to defend every vote. An EU Commission spokesperson stated that key recommendations on Serbia's electoral framework remain unimplemented. The EU stressed that democracy and the rule of law are central to the accession process. Serbia has held candidate status since 2012.