Serbian students enter election race, challenging Vucic

Campaign for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (AP Photo-Darko Vojinovic)

University students who have led nearly two years of anti-government protests in Serbia formally entered the election race Monday, taking on populist President Aleksandar Vucic ahead of an early parliamentary vote.

The student movement submitted its candidate list to state election authorities after a lively march through central Belgrade. Several thousand people joined the rally, applauding and chanting in support.

The Oct. 25 election is seen as a major test for Vucic, whose Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) has remained in power for 14 years. The vote comes amid growing political tensions and widespread public dissatisfaction with the government.

The protests began after a train station tragedy on Nov. 1, 2024, when 16 people were killed in the collapse of a concrete canopy in the northern city of Novi Sad. Students have demanded accountability, saying corruption contributed to poor renovation work at the station.

The protests, held almost daily and at times drawing hundreds of thousands of people, have posed the biggest challenge to Vucic since his party came to power in 2012. Vucic has served as Serbia’s prime minister or president since 2014.

Students have been demanding an early parliamentary election for more than a year. Vucic apparently waited until he believed his party was in a strong enough position to contest the vote.

Students confident of victory

Addressing Monday’s gathering, student leader Milica Popovic said the movement would prove that “the law exists in Serbia and that justice is not the privilege of the chosen few.”

“You have told us not to give up and we haven’t,” she said. “It is now time for us to take over the institutions of this country.”

Vucic has said he will resign as president on Sept. 27 to lead the SNS election campaign and could become prime minister if his party wins. He cannot seek another presidential term because Serbia’s constitution limits presidents to two terms. A separate early presidential election will be held.

The student-backed candidate list includes university professors, teachers, experts and people from various professional backgrounds.

The Belgrade crowd chanted “Victory” before marching toward the headquarters of Serbia’s national electoral commission. Demonstrators carried a huge banner reading “Students win” and a replica of the city’s famous Victor monument.

Vucic attacks opponents

Vucic on Monday dismissed his main opponents as a “nameless list” without a program or plans. He also accused them of running what he called an extensive campaign of lies against his government.

Among the allegations, he referred to claims that authorities used a sonic weapon against peaceful protesters during a huge demonstration in Belgrade last March.

Vucic’s SNS and its coalition partner, the Socialist Party, have already submitted their candidate lists. Several right-wing and centrist opposition parties are also contesting the election.

Vucic has taken a tough stance against the protesters, prompting international concern over alleged police violence and arbitrary arrests. He has accused the students and their professors of seeking to “destroy the state” with unspecified foreign backing.

Serbia’s efforts to join the European Union have stalled during Vucic’s rule, while he has maintained close relations with Russia and China. Previous elections in Serbia have been criticized over allegations of irregularities and violence. – AP/UNB