Serbia is set to hold snap parliamentary elections on Sunday, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s political landscape as a broad student movement challenges the long-dominant ruling coalition led by Aleksandar Vucic. The elections come after nearly two years of sustained protests and civil activism sparked by a deadly infrastructure failure in Novi Sad, where the collapse of a railway station canopy in 2024 resulted in 16 fatalities.

The student-led electoral list features an unprecedented mix of candidates, including professors, scientists, medical professionals, workers, actors, and activists. Most were previously unknown to the public. The selection process involved extensive vetting and consultation within university faculties across Serbia, culminating in student assemblies choosing the final nominees. Thousands participated in this collective decision, reflecting an unusual experiment in direct democracy aimed at broadening political participation beyond traditional party structures.

By contrast, the established opposition parties have largely rallied behind the student initiative, effectively sidelining fragmented opposition groups. The movement’s campaign, under the slogan “Serbia or the mafia,” frames the election as a referendum on Vucic’s 14-year rule, with recent polls indicating the student list could garner support upwards of 40 percent, signaling a competitive race against the entrenched ruling coalition.

The movement originated as a response to the Novi Sad tragedy, where students mobilized to demand government accountability. Their activism rapidly evolved into widespread demonstrations, university blockades, and civil disobedience that pressured the government and ultimately led Vucic to accelerate elections. Vucic, a dominant political figure whose tenure has been marked by authoritarian tendencies and suppression of independent media, is now seeking a transition from president to prime minister, further consolidating his power.

The younger generation behind the student list grew up under Vucic’s administration without direct memory of his controversial actions during the 1990s but have experienced repression, surveillance, and violence firsthand. Students have reported being attacked at peaceful protests, arbitrarily detained, and subjected to police brutality, with some facing criminal charges or fleeing abroad amid heightened intimidation efforts.

Throughout his rule, Vucic has maintained a delicate balance of domestic repression and strategic international positioning, condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine while refusing sanctions, engaging diplomatically with Israel, and maintaining ties with both Western governments and Russia. However, the student movement challenges this calculated equilibrium by presenting a unified, leaderless front that has resisted factionalism.

The campaign has included moments of symbolism and defiance, such as when cardiologist Ilija Sradanovic, head of the student electoral list, declined a televised debate with Vucic using a humorous retort. Meanwhile, Vucic has attempted to dismiss the movement’s legitimacy through ridicule and misdirection.

As the election approaches, tensions remain high. Vucic has warned of potential unrest allegedly instigated by foreign and domestic actors, preemptively shifting blame for possible violence. Observers note that previous protests have seen provocations linked to state affiliates, raising concerns about stability during the vote.

The outcome of the election will test whether Serbian society is prepared to embrace the students’ vision for a reformed political system rooted in transparency, social justice, and democratic participation. With proposals including free textbooks, permanent employment guarantees, affordable housing, and expanded healthcare access, the student movement offers a stark contrast to the established political order.

The Nov. 1 anniversary of the Novi Sad canopy collapse will coincide with the final count of votes, underscoring the symbolic weight of this electoral contest as Serbia confronts questions about its future direction and the resilience of its democratic institutions.