Serbia votes as student-led bloc challenges longtime leader Vucic

Serbia votes 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 began 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. The election is also being closely watched in Europe, as Serbia is a candidate for European Union membership, but its accession process has been hampered by concerns over democratic standards and the rule of law.

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. Protesters accused the government of allowing corruption and political patronage to undermine public safety, allegations the authorities have rejected.