Serbians Vote Sunday as Student List Targets 40 Percent Share

Serbia holds its parliamentary election on Sunday, a contest that analysts describe as the most competitive since the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) took power in 2012. Political scientist Dusan Spasojevic told DW that polls suggest the Student List, a candidate group backed by the student movement, could capture more than 40 percent of the vote. This figure would mark a decisive shift in a political landscape dominated by SNS for 14 years.

The Student List emerged from protests that began after a concrete canopy collapsed at the Novi Sad railway station in November 2024, killing 16 people. The movement has framed the upcoming vote as a mechanism to address corruption and demand accountability for that disaster. They have sought to bridge ideological and foreign policy divides that have traditionally shaped Serbian politics, presenting a united front against the ruling establishment.

On Thursday evening, thousands gathered in Belgrade for the Student List's final campaign rally. Many attendees had walked for days from various regions of the country to reach the capital, a journey intended to demonstrate solidarity and peaceful resolve. Biology student Arsa Stojanovic addressed the crowd, noting that the walkers had visited villages and neighborhoods across Serbia and learned they could rely on public support. Aleksandar Cupic, a transport engineering professor and candidate, declared that the atmosphere "smells like freedom." The event concluded with a kolo, a traditional circle dance.

The SNS held its own closing rally nearby, emphasizing stability, continuity, and prosperity as the benefits of voting for the party. The ruling party warned that a change in government risks chaos and framed the election as a battle for sovereignty. Former President Aleksandar Vucic accused opponents of acting on foreign orders and of attacking the SNS with billions of euros. The party portrays the election as a defense of Serbia's future against external interests.

The campaign has been marked by tension and allegations of imbalanced media coverage. The independent monitoring group CRTA recorded 116 incidents of physical violence or verbal threats in the final week, including attacks on campaigners and attempts to seize banners. CRTA reported that almost three-quarters of national television airtime went to government representatives, while more than 80 percent of coverage of the Student List was negative. The group stated that the campaign has not been free or fair, citing surveillance of opposition activists and police questioning.

Investigative reporting has also surfaced allegations of vote buying and institutional pressure. The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network published testimony from a former SNS member describing pressure on public-sector employees to deliver votes. Anonymous sources told DW that voters were offered between 30 and 150 euros, and in some cases family holiday packages, to support the SNS. Independent media have reported alleged links between party-connected individuals and criminal networks, though Spasojevic doubts these reports will alter the final result.

Authorities have warned for weeks that street violence is being prepared by students allegedly aided by foreign intelligence services. Several individuals have been arrested on suspicion of plotting disturbances for election night. Spasojevic noted that a narrow margin in the polls points toward a post-election crisis, particularly if the SNS wins by a small count. He added that such a result would almost certainly be contested, as the student movement has vowed to defend every vote.

The European Union is closely watching the process. An EU Commission spokesperson told DW that key recommendations on Serbia's electoral framework remain unimplemented. The spokesperson stressed that democracy and the rule of law are central to Serbia's accession process. Serbia has held candidate country status since 2012.