Serbia after Vucic: The winners are losing patience

Serbia's political landscape has undergone a dramatic shift since Aleksandar Vucic's electoral defeat on October 25 to the Student List. The new government, comprised of professors, activists, and artists, has quickly garnered significant public support, winning 53% of the vote in the recent election.

Vucic's opponents have expressed frustration with his regime, accusing him of controlling the media, awarding state contracts to loyal companies, and linking to organized crime. The Student List has vowed to investigate and charge Vucic and his officials, with citizens already removing his portraits from municipal buildings and initiating investigations into electoral fraud.

The public prosecutor's office for organized crime has launched investigations into alleged electoral fraud, and a special commission is examining the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade, which was accused of working against Vucic and persecuting his opponents. The former regime is also facing accusations of poor workmanship and corruption in the renovation of the railway station in Novi Sad, which led to the deaths of 16 people.

Citizens are growing impatient, expecting justice after years of oppression. While the new government still has levers of power, many are calling for immediate action against Vucic and his officials. The SNS party, which still controls many government positions, is seen as acting like a feudal lord, while the Student List promises real reforms and a focus on stabilizing Serbia's development.

The Student List's diverse membership, unifying left- and right-wing factions, pro-European and pro-Russian forces, and its emphasis on EU accession talks with genuine reforms have positioned them as a formidable opposition force. However, critics argue that the outgoing government's actions may still pose a threat to the new administration, with some officials potentially continuing to award contracts and create financial obligations for the agencies they run.