Serbia’s longtime leader faces biggest political test as students mount election challenge
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has left the presidency and is seeking to become prime minister in a snap parliamentary election on 25 October, creating a major test of his 14-year hold on power. Student protesters, who have built a political challenge from an anti-corruption movement, are drawing support that established opposition groups have struggled to attract.
Vucic’s foreign minister says the student opposition lacks a credible programme and is unlikely to win, while critics and observers warn the election may take place in a hostile environment and question whether its result would be respected. The protests began in November 2024 after 16 people died when a railway station collapsed. Vucic, prime minister from 2014 to 2017 and president from 2017, has cited economic growth as a record of his leadership; a bipartisan US bill would link future aid to progress on judicial accountability, press freedom and alignment with the EU and NATO.
In short
- Vucic is seeking to remain in power as prime minister.
- Student protesters have become a serious electoral challenge.
- Critics raise concerns about the election environment and accountability.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Vucic’s supporters can argue that his record of economic growth and long experience in government offer voters continuity and a basis on which to judge his leadership. They may also say that students should be assessed on whether they can present a credible programme and govern effectively, rather than on the energy of protest alone.
The case against
Supporters of the student challenge can argue that the protests give voice to public demands for accountability after the station collapse and offer a route beyond opposition parties that have struggled to build broad support. They may also contend that a fair election requires a genuinely open campaign and confidence that the result will be respected, concerns raised by critics and observers.
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