Polls Close in Serbia as Vucic Faces Historic Challenge From Student Opposition
Polls closed in Serbia on Sunday after a high-stakes parliamentary election testing populist leader Aleksandar Vucic against a broad anti-corruption student movement. Voter turnout surged to a historic 64.9%, reflecting deep public anger over infrastructure failures and governance.
Polling stations closed across Serbia on Sunday evening following a tense parliamentary election that pits the long-standing rule of populist leader Aleksandar Vucic against a leaderless opposition movement born from years of anti-corruption protests. Vucic, 56, has led the Balkan nation since 2014, serving initially as prime minister before becoming president in 2017. Barred from running for a third presidential term, he resigned last month and called snap elections to run once again for prime minister. While the premiership holds broader constitutional powers in Serbia, Vucic has continuously maintained dominant control over government policy and key decisions throughout his presidency.
The snap vote unfolds against the backdrop of widespread public outrage fueled by a deadly tragedy in November 2024, when a concrete station roof collapse in the northern city of Novi Sad killed 16 people. Citizens and critics swiftly linked the disaster to pervasive corruption within state-managed infrastructure projects. Vucic has faced persistent accusations from political opponents and civil society of eroding democratic institutions, tightening state control over media outlets, and allowing organized crime to flourish. In response to the unrest, a novel opposition coalition known as the Student List emerged, fielding candidates chosen by student assemblies rather than career politicians. Led by cardiologist Ilija Srdanovic, the movement features professionals, doctors, and farmers campaigning on platforms of anti-corruption, judicial independence, and the dismantling of political patronage.
Vucic has vehemently rejected allegations of corruption and authoritarianism, countering that the protest movement receives covert funding from foreign actors in Croatia and Montenegro. Touted by supporters for spearheading significant economic growth, modernization, and infrastructure development over the past decade, Vucic campaigned on promises of raising pensions and public sector wages. In foreign policy, he has maintained close strategic ties with China and Russia while officially pursuing European Union integration. Analysts note that a potential shift in power could complicate relations with international allies, given Vucic's strong diplomatic support for Israel, which included a joint military drone manufacturing venture announced in April.
Turnout surged to a historic high, reaching 64.9% by early evening, marking the highest participation rate recorded since the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1992. Observers from independent watchdog groups, including CRTA, reported numerous irregularities outside polling stations, raising concerns over potential disputes as the nation awaits final results for the 250-seat parliament.
