Student movement holds final protest before Serbian election
Hundreds of thousands of Serbs backed the students challenging President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade.
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The Serbian student movement held its final major election rally in Belgrade on Thursday. Sunday’s parliamentary election is seen as a contest between the ruling power group around Aleksandar Vučić and a protest movement that is entering politics itself after months of demonstrations.
According to the Associated Press, hundreds of thousands of supporters gathered in the Serbian capital. The students have been protesting against corruption and Vučić’s political dominance for almost two years. The movement emerged after a canopy at a railway station in the north of the country collapsed, killing 16 people in November 2024.
The students have formed their own electoral list for the election. In doing so, they are seeking to translate the protests into seats in parliament. The movement presents itself as an alternative to the established parties, but has no traditional party structure and is politically made up of different groups.
Vučić, who was previously president and is now again playing a leading role in the election campaign, has, according to international media, wielded considerable influence over Serbian politics for years. His party has a firm grip on power. Critics accuse the government of putting pressure on independent media, intimidating opponents and failing to investigate corruption adequately. The government and its supporters reject that criticism.
The election is taking place while social tensions remain high. The AP previously reported that activists had reported threats, cyberattacks and violence. Those allegations have not been independently established in every case. The government says it is maintaining order and that the election is being conducted according to the rules.
The result is relevant to the European Union. Serbia is a candidate country, but at the same time maintains close ties with Russia and China. A strong result for the student movement could alter the domestic balance of power, although it remains uncertain whether it is sufficiently organised to form a government or force a coalition after the election.
The demonstration itself was not an election result. The turnout alone offers no conclusive indication of nationwide support for the opposition to Vučić. The coming days will show whether that mobilisation also translates into votes and seats.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The student movement held a large gathering in Belgrade.
- The movement is taking part in the forthcoming parliamentary election.
- Aleksandar Vučić and his political network dominate Serbian politics.
- Serbia is a candidate country for membership of the European Union.
Left
Arguments From a left-wing perspective, the election should bring an end to corruption, the concentration of power and pressure on independent media. In this view, the student movement is seen as a possible democratic alternative to the established parties.
Values Democratic accountability, social justice and independent institutions.
Consequences A defeat for Vučić could bring reforms and more space for civil-society organisations; a victory could prolong protests and social polarisation.
Centre
Arguments The institutional approach emphasises that protests are legitimate, but that only a verifiable election and a functioning parliament can deliver lasting change.
Values The rule of law, governability and verifiable procedures.
Consequences A strong protest result is meaningful only if the movement can subsequently negotiate, govern and organise oversight.
Right
Arguments A right-wing perspective emphasises order, continuity and the risk that an inexperienced student movement could destabilise the administration. According to this reasoning, the government should be able to complete its mandate.
Values National stability, authority and gradual change.
Consequences A change of power without a clear administrative foundation could cause economic uncertainty and further confrontation.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core facts have been confirmed by recent reporting from the AP and Reuters. Allegations of repression have been carefully attributed and not presented as established fact.
- confirmed The student movement held a large gathering in Belgrade on 22 October. — Reported by the Associated Press. source
- confirmed The Serbian parliamentary election will take place on Sunday. — The AP describes the gathering as the final campaign event before the weekend election. source
- confirmed The student movement emerged after a station canopy collapsed, killing 16 people. — The AP cites the event as the trigger for the protests. source
- confirmed Serbian activists report threats, cyberattacks and violence. — Reuters describes these reports and attributes them to those involved. source