From the streets to the ballot box: Serbia’s students hope for election win
News Source
•Thu, 22 Oct 2026 15:13:34 +0000
📰 What Happened
A student-led movement has become the strongest challenger to Serbia's long-ruling Progressive Party and its leader, Aleksandar Vucic. The country votes in a snap election on Sunday, October 25.
The group is called Student List - Students Win. It grew out of two years of protests. Teachers, professors and other experts joined the students along the way. On October 21, students walked for several days to reach a final rally in central Belgrade.
Law student Kosta Golubovic, who has been involved since the first day, said change is clearly necessary. He wants the state to work for ordinary people, not against them.
🔍 The Backstory
The protests began after a concrete canopy collapsed at the renovated Novi Sad railway station on November 1, 2024. Sixteen people were killed. The deaths sparked outrage over alleged corruption and questions about building safety and government oversight.
Students say they want a deep overhaul of a system they call rotten. Their slogan is that Serbia belongs to the people, not to criminals.
🎯 Why It Matters
This is a test of whether a street protest can turn into real political power. If young voters show up, they could end more than a decade of one-party rule in Serbia.
A student-led movement has become the strongest challenger to Serbia's long-ruling Progressive Party and its leader, Aleksandar Vucic. The country votes in a snap election on Sunday, October 25.
The group is called Student List - Students Win. It grew out of two years of protests. Teachers, professors and other experts joined the students along the way. On October 21, students walked for several days to reach a final rally in central Belgrade.
Law student Kosta Golubovic, who has been involved since the first day, said change is clearly necessary. He wants the state to work for ordinary people, not against them.
The protests began after a concrete canopy collapsed at the renovated Novi Sad railway station on November 1, 2024. Sixteen people were killed. The deaths sparked outrage over alleged corruption and questions about building safety and government oversight.
Students say they want a deep overhaul of a system they call rotten. Their slogan is that Serbia belongs to the people, not to criminals.
This is a test of whether a street protest can turn into real political power. If young voters show up, they could end more than a decade of one-party rule in Serbia.