Serbia voters choose between veteran leader and student bloc

Serbian voters cast ballots on Sunday in a parliamentary election that analysts expect to be extremely close. The race pits long-serving leader Aleksandar Vučić against a new student-driven list. Reliable polling is scarce, but the contest marks a major shift in the country's political dynamics.

The Student List emerged from nearly two years of anti-corruption protests. These demonstrations followed a tragedy in which 16 people died when a canopy collapsed at a railway station in Novi Sad. Student assemblies at various university faculties selected 250 candidates for the list. Ilija Srdanović, a cardiologist and professor at Novi Sad University, heads the slate. He described his role as helping students in their fair struggle, arriving for interviews on a motorbike in a yellow jacket.

The movement operates without a traditional hierarchy or single nominated leader. Srdanović is not the group's leader and may not become prime minister if they win. The other candidates are academics, athletes, engineers, and economists with no prior political experience. Aleksandra, a student at Novi Sad University, noted that the group gathered the best people in their respective fields.

Vučić has held high office since 2012, serving as deputy prime minister, prime minister, and president. He stepped down as president last month to run for prime minister in this snap election. He maintains strong support among voters who view him as a defender of national interests. He cites economic growth and infrastructure improvements from the past decade as key achievements. He has characterized the student movement as foreign-backed and intent on bringing down the state.

The Student List argues that Vučić and his Serbian Progressive Party dominate state institutions and media. An International Election Observation Mission report from after the 2023 vote cited an overwhelming ruling party advantage driven by media bias and misuse of public resources. A pro-government camp has occupied a small park in central Belgrade for 18 months, and its residents have attacked journalists. Vučić calls this camp a symbol of resistance.

The Novi Sad disaster remains Vučić's most pressing issue. The station renovation was part of his flagship high-speed rail project linking Belgrade and Budapest. Magda Anastasijevic, an Eastern Europe analyst at ACLED, said Vučić usually survives crises by finding a scapegoat. She noted that the canopy collapse did not allow for that strategy. Foreign policy also features in the campaign, with Vučić warning that close ties to Russia and China could be lost under a Student List government.

Closing rallies highlighted the difference in style between the two sides. The ruling party filled Belgrade Arena with Vučić as the sole speaker. Meanwhile, a reported 150,000 people gathered in Slavija Square to hear students and candidates. Voters must now decide between a single strong leader and a collective approach.