Concrete Collapse Sparked Serbia's Historic Student Challenge
Polls place the student-led opposition at 40 percent in a race analysts call the first competitive election since 2012.
By Carmen Wojcik ·
Serbian citizens cast ballots on October 25 for the National Assembly in an election that marks the first genuinely competitive contest in the country in 14 years. The Serbian Progressive Party, which has held power since 2012, faces its strongest challenge to date from the Student List, a coalition of candidates backed by a student movement that has organized protests against the government for nearly two years. Political scientist Dusan Spasojevic described the race as having an uncertain outcome, noting that polling data suggests the Student List could secure more than 40 percent of the vote.
The path to this election began in November 2024 when a concrete canopy collapsed at the Novi Sad railway station, killing 16 people. The disaster became a symbol of institutional failure and corruption, galvanizing students to demand accountability. The movement attempted to transcend traditional ideological and foreign policy divisions, framing the vote as a chance to confront the ruling establishment.
In the final days of the campaign, thousands of supporters traveled to Belgrade for the Student List’s closing rally. Many walked for days from various regions of the country, turning the event into a demonstration of solidarity. Arsa Stojanovic, a biology student, told the crowd that the walkers had crossed Serbia, visited local communities, and found strong support. Aleksandar Cupic, a transport engineering professor and candidate, stated that the atmosphere 'smells like freedom.' The rally concluded with a kolo, a traditional circle dance.
A few kilometers away, the Serbian Progressive Party held its own closing event. The ruling party emphasized stability, continuity, and prosperity, arguing that a change in government risked chaos. Former President Aleksandar Vucic told supporters that opponents had attacked the party with billions of euros and tried to destroy the country on foreign orders. The party framed the election as a defense of Serbia's sovereignty against foreign interests.
The campaign was marked by tensions and allegations of irregularities. The independent monitoring group CRTA recorded 116 incidents of physical violence or verbal threats by the final week. These incidents included attacks on campaigners and attempts to seize campaign banners. CRTA reported that opposition activists, particularly those linked to the Student List, faced surveillance and police questioning. The group stated that the campaign was neither free nor fair, citing a narrowing of freedoms and deepening inequality.
Media coverage reflected the political imbalance. CRTA found that nearly 75 percent of airtime on national television was allocated to government representatives. More than 80 percent of coverage regarding the Student List was negative. The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network published testimony from a former party member describing pressure on public-sector employees to deliver votes. Anonymous sources told Deutsche Welle that voters were offered between 30 and 150 euros, and in some cases holiday packages, to support the ruling party. Independent media also reported alleged links between party-connected individuals and criminal networks, though Spasojevic doubted these revelations would alter the final result.
Concerns about post-election stability have grown. Authorities warned that students, allegedly aided by foreign intelligence services, were preparing for street violence. Several individuals were arrested on suspicion of plotting disturbances for election night. Spasojevic noted that a decisive win for either side would be the best outcome, but polls indicate a narrow margin. He added that a narrow victory for the ruling party would likely be contested, as the student movement vowed to defend every vote.
The international response, particularly from the European Union, is expected to play a key role in preventing escalation. An EU Commission spokesperson stated that key recommendations on improving Serbia's electoral framework remain unimplemented. The spokesperson stressed that democracy and the rule of law are central to the accession process, a status Serbia has held since 2012.
