On 22 October 2026, a large-scale pre-election rally organised by the opposition movement «Student List» took place in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia; it was one of the country’s largest political gatherings in the run-up to the snap parliamentary elections. According to AFP estimates, around 150,000 people gathered in the central Slavia Square and the surrounding streets, whilst the Associated Press reported hundreds of thousands of participants. Demonstrators lit flares, chanted slogans and called for political change. On 25 October, Serbia will elect a new parliament, with the main contest set to be between the ruling Serbian Progressive Party of former President Aleksandar Vučić and the student movement that emerged following the tragedy at the railway station in Novi Sad.
- On 22 October, a large-scale pre-election rally organised by the «Student List» movement took place in Belgrade.
- Around 150,000 people took to the streets of the Serbian capital.
- Early parliamentary elections in Serbia are scheduled for 25 October 2026.
- The main rivals will be the Serbian Progressive Party and the opposition student movement.
- The top spot on the list of students went to Ilija Srdanović, a cardiologist and professor from Novi Sad.
Mass demonstrations have swept through Belgrade two days before the election
On the evening of 22 October, tens of thousands of supporters of the opposition student movement gathered in Slavia Square in the centre of Belgrade. People arrived from various parts of the capital and other Serbian cities, filling the central streets.
The protesters waved national flags, set off flares and illuminated the square with their mobile phones. Red smoke rose above the crowd, and the demonstrators’ chants were met with applause.
The event marked the final major rally of the «Student List» movement ahead of the parliamentary elections on 25 October.
Prior to this, students had spent several days organising marches on foot to the capital from various regions of Serbia. The aim of the demonstrations was to mobilise supporters and urge citizens to take part in the vote.
Why have students been protesting in Serbia for almost two years now?
A mass protest movement emerged following the tragedy that took place on 1 November 2024 at the railway station in Novi Sad. On that occasion, the concrete canopy of the station building collapsed. Sixteen people lost their lives as a result of the disaster.
The tragedy sparked public outrage and raised questions about possible corruption during the station’s refurbishment.
University students began organising demonstrations, calling for a transparent investigation, accountability for officials and action against corruption. Gradually, the protests spread to dozens of Serbian towns and cities. They were joined by lecturers, workers from various sectors and other members of the public. Eventually, the protest movement evolved into a political force that decided to stand in the parliamentary elections.
Vučić stepped down as president to take up the post of prime minister
One of the key features of the forthcoming elections has been the participation of the former President of Serbia Alexandra Vucic.
On 27 September 2026, he officially resigned from his post as head of state. His powers were temporarily transferred to the Speaker of Parliament Ani Brnabić.
Vučić explained that his decision was motivated by his intention to lead the Serbian Progressive Party’s election campaign and stand for the post of Prime Minister.
Under Serbian law, the president cannot be elected for a third consecutive term. Vučić’s second presidential term was due to end in May 2027.
On the eve of the vote, the former president also held rally his supporters in Belgrade, where he expressed confidence that his party would win. He accuses the student movement of attempting to destabilise the country with the support of foreign powers. Representatives of the protest movement reject these accusations.
Who is Ilija Srdanović — the leading candidate of the student movement?
A cardiologist and professor at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Novi Sad was placed at the top of the student movement’s electoral list Ilija Srdanović. He works at the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Vojvodina and had been supporting the student protests even before the election campaign began.
Srdanović was not a widely known party politician. His nomination was part of the students’ strategy to involve non-party experts.
At the same time, the «Student List» does not have a single leader in the traditional sense. The movement retains a decentralised structure, whilst Srdanović heads its electoral list.
In total, the list comprises 250 candidates, including lecturers, academics, community activists and representatives of various professions.
The movement’s main political demands remain the fight against corruption, ensuring the independence of state institutions and the accountability of the authorities.
In the run-up to the elections in Serbia, there are reports of pressure being exerted on the opposition
The election campaign was marred by numerous reports of intimidation of activists, attacks on journalists and attempts at digital surveillance. Human rights organisations report a deterioration in the situation regarding freedom of expression and media independence.
In particular, digital security researchers have reported the use of spyware against individual participants in the protest movement. However, it has not been possible to identify those responsible for any of the documented cases.
The Serbian authorities deny allegations that they have organised political repression and illegal surveillance.
In the run-up to the elections, international observers and representatives of the European Union also expressed concern about a level playing field for candidates and possible irregularities in the electoral process.
What is known about the parliamentary elections on 25 October
On Sunday, 25 October, Serbian citizens will elect 250 members of the National Assembly — the country’s unicameral parliament. Eighteen electoral lists, representing various political parties and civil society organisations, have been admitted to the ballot.
Despite the participation of many parties, it is the confrontation between the ruling Serbian Progressive Party and the opposition student movement that is attracting the most attention.
Opinion polls indicate a close contest between these forces. At the same time, due to significant discrepancies in the survey results, it is not yet possible to reliably predict the future distribution of seats.
International observers point out that the outcome of the vote could have a significant impact on Serbia’s domestic politics, its European integration and its future relations with international partners.
