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Serbia’s Student List holds final rallies before parliamentary vote

Serbia’s student-backed candidates held their final campaign rallies before the October 25 parliamentary election, challenging Aleksandar Vučić’s political dominance. The list led by cardiologist Ilija Srdanović proposes anti-corruption policing, scrutiny of assets and changes to public appointments. Opposition and rights groups allege pressure on voters and unequal media access; Vučić and his allies deny those allegations.

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A crowd seen from behind faces a distant speaker on a low stage in an urban square, with a Serbian flag beside the stage.

Student candidates finish their campaign

Serbia’s student-backed list held its final campaign rally in Belgrade before the October 25 parliamentary election.[1], [2]

The formation, Student List–Students Win, is challenging Aleksandar Vučić’s political dominance. Its lead candidate is Ilija Srdanović, a cardiologist. Candidates include professors, doctors, artists, farmers and scientists. Former basketball player Dejan Bodiroga and actor Tihomir Stanić are also on the list. The movement emerged from protests after the canopy collapse at Novi Sad railway station in Serbia in 2024. Students make decisions in open faculty assemblies, while working groups deal with strategy, donations and security.[1]

An anti-corruption programme has 11 points

The list’s 11-point programme includes a special anti-corruption policing unit and legislation to examine the origin of assets. It proposes ending partisan appointments in public institutions and improving medical services in rural areas. Srdanović said firm implementation deadlines had not been set before contributors could assess the condition of state institutions. The programme therefore contains proposals whose timetable has not been fixed. The reforms address both the appointment of people to public bodies and the investigation of possible corruption. No firm dates for putting them into effect have been announced.[1]

Voters choose a 250-seat parliament

Serbia elects its 250-seat parliament through proportional representation in a single nationwide constituency, with a general threshold of 3 per cent. There are 18 competing lists and approximately 6.45 million voters. Vučić became prime minister in 2014 and president in 2017; he is now seeking the premiership. Opposition figures and rights organisations accuse the government of pressuring voters and limiting media freedom. Vučić and his allies deny those allegations. The election commission says voting will be free and secret, while observers have raised concerns about tension and unequal media access. The election is scheduled for Sunday. Voting has not yet taken place, so the final rallies do not establish a winner or parliamentary majority.[1]

References

  1. News sourceBBC NewsFinal rallies in Serbia as student list challenges Vučić↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceIZLAZStudent List holds final election rally in Belgrade↩
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