Early parliamentary elections are taking place in Serbia on 25 October. Supporters of President Aleksandar Vučić, who recently resigned and hopes to return to power as prime minister, are vying for victory against the ‘Students Win’ student list, formed by activists from the anti-government protests.
Eighteen political parties are taking part in the election, though the main contest is between two camps. According to opinion polls, more than 40 per cent of voters are prepared to support both Vučić’s supporters and his opponents.
Queues formed outside polling stations from early morning. According to official figures, turnout is significantly higher than in previous elections: by midday, around 25 per cent of voters had cast their ballots.
Mass protests have been ongoing in Serbia since December 2024, when 16 people were killed in the collapse of a structure at the railway station in Novi Sad. The student movement and activists who have joined it have accused the authorities of corruption, which, in their view, led to the tragedy. They have demanded Vucic’s resignation and the removal of his Serbian Progressive Party from power.
Vucic’s supporters, in turn, accuse the students of plotting a ‘colour revolution’ and receiving funding from abroad. Vucic also claims that, should his opponents win, they would immediately impose sanctions against Russia. The student movement itself has not made such statements: it comprises supporters of both liberal and nationalist ideas.
The student list was drawn up following discussions amongst the protesters; the movement’s leaders themselves were not included on it. The candidates include academics, doctors, artists and activists from civil society organisations. The list is headed by cardiologist Ilija Srdanović.
Preliminary results of the vote are expected on the evening of 25 October.