Huge crowds gather at final pre-election rally of Serbia’s students

Hundreds of thousands of supporters of Serbia's protesting youth movement rallied in Belgrade's Slavija Square on Thursday, the final campaign rally before a tense parliamentary election. The event marked a challenge to the country's powerful populist strongman, Aleksandar Vucic. Crowds filled the square and several surrounding blocks, chanting "Victory" with a sense of optimism ahead of Sunday's early vote.

The student movement, which has grown in support since protests began in November 2024, is neck and neck with Vucic's right-wing Serbian Progressive Party in the polls. Despite Vucic's tight control over mainstream media and institutions, their Students' List election ticket is in a close race with the ruling party. Analysts predict a close result could lead to post-election instability if both sides claim victory. Vucic, who controls the police, has vowed to swiftly quash any unrest following the vote.