Serbia votes as students seek to end Vucic's long grip

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is set to face voters in a crucial election on Sunday, marking one of the most significant political events in recent memory. Over a decade after dominating the Balkan nation, Vucic seeks to secure a new mandate as prime minister, a role he held from 2014 to 2017 before taking the presidency.

The election comes amid two years of political turmoil, sparked by student-led demonstrations that erupted following a tragic incident at a railway station in Novi Sad in November 2024. The demonstrations, demanding accountability for corruption and negligence, have led to widespread accusations against the government.

Despite the unrest, Vucic enters the election with several advantages. A recent Ipsos survey, commissioned by his United Serbia coalition, shows the bloc leading the opposition student-backed list with 47.4% support, compared to 40%. This indicates that Vucic's leadership has maintained a strong electoral base, particularly among voters who associate his tenure with infrastructure modernization, improved living standards, and the stability of a country plagued by conflict and economic uncertainty since Yugoslavia's breakup.

United Serbia, Vucic's coalition comprising his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and several other parties, is set to face off against the student-backed list in the upcoming vote. While the survey suggests Vucic's coalition retains a significant lead, other polls have indicated a tighter race or even an opposition victory. The outcome remains uncertain, but it demonstrates the enduring appeal of a leader who critics have long predicted would face the end of his political dominance.