Serbia election: Can student-led opposition end Aleksandar Vucic's grip on power?

Serbians vote in a closely contested election that could bring an end to Aleksandar Vucic's grip on power.

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Serbians are voting in a closely fought election that could end Aleksandar Vucic's grip on power, according to DW News. Voting was well underway in Serbia on Sunday in a closely contested election that could bring an end to more than a decade of rule by long-time leader Aleksandar Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

Polls suggest a tight race between the SNS and the newly formed, youth-backed Students' List, which emerged from a mass student protest movement. The protests were sparked by the deadly collapse of a train station canopy in the city of Novi Sad in 2024, which killed 16 people and stirred widespread anger over alleged corruption, poor construction standards and a lack of accountability for public infrastructure projects.

The student movement has sought to channel the energy of the street protests into an electoral challenge, presenting itself as an alternative to both the ruling party and Serbia's established opposition. By 1 p.m. (1200 GMT), 41.1% of eligible voters had cast their ballots, up from 26.6% at the same stage in the December 2023 parliamentary election, according to independent election monitor CRTA.

Vucic himself first came to power as prime minister in 2014 before becoming president in 2017. After calling snap elections last month, Vucic stepped down as president to run for prime minister. His second presidential term was due to expire in May 2027, and Serbia's constitution prevents him from serving a third term.