Serbia Student List Targets 40 Percent in Toughest Race for SNS

Serbia held parliamentary elections on Sunday, with political scientists describing the contest as the most competitive since the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) took office in 2012. The primary challenge comes from the Student List, a coalition of candidates emerging from a student movement that has protested the government for nearly two years.

Polls indicate the Student List could secure more than 40% of the vote. Dusan Spasojevic, a political scientist, noted that this is the first election in the current era with an uncertain outcome. The movement gained momentum after a concrete canopy collapsed at the Novi Sad railway station in November 2024, killing 16 people. Protesters cite the disaster as evidence of institutional failure and corruption.

Thousands gathered in Belgrade on Thursday for the Student List's final rally. Many attendees had walked for days from across the country to reach the capital. Arsa Stojanovic, a biology student, told the crowd that the walkers visited villages and neighborhoods to gauge public support. Aleksandar Cupic, a transport engineering professor and candidate, stated that the atmosphere smelled like freedom. The event concluded with a kolo, a traditional circle dance.

The SNS held its own closing rally nearby, arguing that voting for the party ensures stability and prosperity. Former President Aleksandar Vucic claimed opponents were acting on foreign orders and had attacked the party with billions of euros. The ruling party framed the election as a struggle for sovereignty, accusing rivals of serving external interests.

Violence shadowed the campaign. The independent monitoring group CRTA recorded 116 incidents of physical violence or verbal threats by the final week. These included attacks on campaigners and attempts to seize banners. CRTA also reported that opposition activists faced surveillance and slow police protection. The group concluded the campaign was neither free nor fair, noting that almost three-quarters of national television airtime went to government representatives.

More than 80% of coverage regarding the Student List on national television was negative. The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network published testimony from a former SNS member describing pressure on public-sector employees to deliver votes. Anonymous sources reported that voters were offered between 30 and 150 euros, or family holiday packages, to support the SNS.

Authorities warned of potential street violence, with arrests made on suspicion of plotting disturbances. Spasojevic said a narrow SNS victory would likely be contested, as the movement vowed to defend every vote. An EU Commission spokesperson stated that key recommendations for improving Serbia's electoral framework remain unimplemented. Serbia has been an EU candidate country since 2012.