Srdanović’s Student List Challenges Vučić in Serbia’s Sunday Vote

Aleksandar Vučić, who has led Serbia’s government in various capacities since 2012, faces a direct challenge from a group of non-partisan candidates on Sunday. The student-led list, headed by Novi Sad University professor Ilija Srdanović, has emerged from nearly two years of anti-corruption demonstrations. The movement seeks to displace Vučić, who recently stepped down as president to run for prime minister in this snap election.

The political shift traces back to a structural failure at the Novi Sad railway station. A canopy collapse there killed 16 people, sparking protests that eventually coalesced into a formal electoral list. Student assemblies at university faculties selected 250 candidates, including academics, athletes, and engineers, none of whom had previous political experience. Srdanović, a cardiologist, serves as the top candidate but not the designated leader of the group. He described his role as supporting students in a fair struggle, often arriving for media appearances on a motorbike in a fluorescent yellow jacket.

Vučić maintains a strong base of supporters who view him as a defender of national interests. He cites economic growth and infrastructure projects as key achievements during his tenure. However, critics argue his party dominates state institutions and media. An international election observation mission noted an overwhelming ruling party advantage in the 2023 vote, citing media bias and the misuse of public resources. A pro-government camp has occupied a central Belgrade park for 18 months, with residents repeatedly confronting journalists.

The Novi Sad disaster complicates Vučić’s campaign because the station renovation was part of his flagship high-speed rail project linking Belgrade to Budapest. Magda Anastasijevic, an analyst at ACLED, noted that Vučić has previously survived crises by identifying scapegoats, but the station incident did not offer that option. He has characterized the student movement as foreign-backed and intent on dismantling the state, while his opponents describe a collective approach that contrasts with his single-leader model.

Foreign policy has also become a campaign issue. Serbia is conducting EU membership talks while maintaining close ties with Russia and China. Both Moscow and Beijing refuse to recognize Kosovo’s independence, a stance Vučić has leveraged in the past. At a recent rally, he questioned whether the Student List would impose sanctions on Russia if it took power, highlighting the potential shifts in international relations under a new government.

The final days of the campaign featured stark visual contrasts. The ruling party filled the Belgrade Arena with Vučić as the sole speaker. In parallel, a reported 150,000 people gathered in Slavija Square to listen to student candidates. With reliable polls scarce, the result is expected to be extremely close. Voters will decide between a long-serving leader and a new collective bloc.