Serbia’s protesting youth formally join race challenging Vucic before next month’s election

Belgrade, Serbia (AP) — University students who have been leading nearly two years of anti-government protests in Serbia formally announced their candidacy for the upcoming parliamentary election before the early vote took place. Challenging President Aleksandar Vucic, the youth movement submitted their election list to the state authorities following a festive march through the capital city.

On Monday, a few thousand supporters joined the procession, clapping in approval. The parliamentary vote is expected to be a significant trial for Vucic, whose Serbian Progressive Party has effectively monopolized power since its inception 14 years ago. The election will take place amidst mounting political tensions as the ruling populists strive to retain their positions despite widespread dissatisfaction.

The protests began in response to a train station accident on November 1, 2024, that resulted in 16 deaths in Novi Sad, a city in northern Serbia. The students demanded accountability for the concrete canopy's collapse, accusing corruption of causing substandard renovation work on the structure. Demonstrations have taken place almost daily, sometimes amassing hundreds of thousands of participants, a level of unrest unseen since Vucic's party took office in 2012.

Vucic, who has been Serbia's prime minister or president since 2014, stated that he would resign from the presidency on September 27 to lead his party's campaign and potentially become the country's prime minister if they won. He cannot run for president again as the Serbian constitution imposes a two-term limit. An early presidential election will be held separately.

The student-backed list comprises university professors, teachers, experts, and individuals from various backgrounds. The crowd in Belgrade on Monday chanted "Victory" before proceeding to Serbia's national electoral commission headquarters, carrying a banner reading "Students win" alongside the replica of Belgrade's iconic Victor monument.

Vucic described his chief opponents as "a nameless list, a list without a program, without plans, without anything" in his Monday press conference. He alleged an extensive campaign of falsehoods against his government, including reports of authorities using a sonic weapon against peaceful protesters at a large gathering in Belgrade last March.

Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party and allied Socialist Party have already submitted their tickets for the election, while several right-wing and centrist opposition parties will also compete.