The Student League has successfully taken power in Serbia, ending the 12-year rule of Aleksandar Vucic, who held the presidency and premiership during his tenure. Despite its name, none of the new parliamentary members belong to the student body.
This political movement emerged following the tragic collapse of the Novi Sad train station roof on November 1, 2024, which resulted in 16 fatalities and sparked protests against a government accused of fostering corruption. Calls for Vucic’s resignation were prominent during these demonstrations.
Initially, student protests were modest, as a few dozen individuals blocked traffic in Novi Sad and Belgrade for one minute for each victim of the disaster shortly after it occurred. However, by late January 2025, Milos Vucevic, then-prime minister and a close ally of Vucic, resigned just a day after tens of thousands blocked a major intersection in Belgrade, joined by farmers with tractors.
Students Lead Recent Protests
In March of that year, students spearheaded the largest anti-government demonstration in a generation, mobilizing hundreds of thousands in Belgrade. By that point, the movement had adopted a powerful symbol: a red fingerprint, signifying the blood they claim the government has on its hands.
Universities across the country organized meetings and working groups focused on media strategies and planning marches. On the first anniversary of the roof collapse, students marched from Belgrade to Novi Sad, receiving food from local villagers along the way.
The idea to form a political entity for elections arose in May 2025, leading to discussions with opposition parties, some of which agreed not to submit separate lists. Officially, the Student League was established on September 9, 2026, just a month and a half prior to elections called for the same day.
Students Barred from Running
The student leaders of the protest movement announced plans to present a list of 250 candidates, none of whom could be students themselves, for parliamentary mandates. Additional conditions included exclusion of individuals who had been members of the Serbian Progressive Party, could not hold public office from other parties, and had to accept the political program of the League.
As a result, the candidate list features university professors, actors, farmers, and even a popular rapper. The first candidate is cardiologist Ilija Srdanovic, although it is made clear that he would not necessarily become prime minister if they won.
Uncertainties of the New Government
Some political analysts express concerns about how a government led by unfamiliar individuals would navigate international relations, according to Reuters. There are also limited details on how the League intends to fulfill its promises to combat corruption, enhance transparency, improve press freedoms, and implement national education reforms.
Critics also highlight the League’s silence regarding EU membership and relations with the former province of Kosovo. Pro-European opponents of Vucic’s regime have criticized the League for stating they will not impose sanctions against Russia.
“A student-led government would aim for comprehensive reforms to fight corruption, reorganize public institutions and key companies, and dismantle clientelism networks,” stated consulting firm Teneo in a recent analysis. “However, strong bureaucratic resistance could lead to short-term institutional instability,” the analysis added.
