Vučić Runs for Prime Minister as Student List Challenges Decade of Rule

Aleksandar Vučić faces a parliamentary election on Sunday that analysts predict will be extremely close. The long-serving leader stepped down as president last month to run for prime minister, a move that places him directly against a student-driven movement that has emerged from nearly two years of anti-corruption protests. Reliable polls are scarce, but the race has become the tightest in Serbia’s democratic history.

The opposition Student List was formed by university assemblies that selected 250 candidates. None of the candidates have a political background. The slate includes academics, athletes, economists, and engineers. Ilija Srdanović, a cardiologist and professor at Novi Sad University, tops the list. He described his role as normal, stating it was "absolutely normal to stand with my students to help them in their fair struggle."

The movement originated after 16 people died when a canopy collapsed at a railway station in Novi Sad. The station renovation was part of Vučić’s flagship high-speed rail project connecting Belgrade to Budapest. Magda Anastasijevic, an Eastern Europe analyst at ACLED, noted that Vučić has previously survived crises by identifying scapegoats. She said the canopy incident did not allow for that strategy.

Vučić has held positions of power since 2012, including deputy prime minister, prime minister, and president. He points to economic growth and infrastructure improvements during his tenure. He characterizes the student movement as foreign-backed and intends to "bring down our state." He has warned that a Student List government could sever Serbia’s close ties with Russia and China.

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

The final days of the campaign showed distinct differences in approach. The ruling party held a rally at Belgrade Arena where Vučić was the sole speaker. In contrast, a reported 150,000 people gathered in Slavija Square to hear from students and candidates. A student at Novi Sad University named Aleksandra called the non-political nature of the slate a strength, saying the group gathered people who are "actually the best in their fields."

Voters decide Sunday between Vučić’s single-leader model and the Student List’s collective approach. The outcome will determine whether the current government remains in power or if the new movement takes control of the parliament.