Serbian elections as a test for ruling party

The upcoming October 25 elections in Serbia are seen as a crucial test for the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and its leader Aleksandar Vucic, with a new student-led movement emerging as a potential challenge.

Unequal electoral conditions reported

According to the Austrian weekly Profil, the election is taking place under deeply unequal conditions, with the SNS, which is in power, using state and media resources to its advantage, while its opponents rely on grassroots efforts and social media.

Election as a de facto referendum

The Deutsche Welle website notes that the election is increasingly resembling a referendum for or against the government, with other political parties at risk of not meeting the 3% threshold needed to enter Parliament.

Student movement challenges tradition

The Belgrade weekly Nedeljnik reports that the student movement has succeeded where the traditional opposition had failed for fifteen years: creating a dynamic that suggests the possibility of defeating the government and breaking the feeling of political inferiority in the face of the SNS.

Student movement’s distinct approach

The Serbian daily Danas notes that the student movement has distinguished itself through its methods of organization, collective decision-making, and public communication, contrasting sharply with the presidential camp, which has labeled students as "terrorists," "vandals," or "anti-patriots."

Student campaign emphasizes change

Their campaign is based on a festive and optimistic atmosphere, driven by a simple message: change is possible and citizens deserve better. Unlike the presidential camp, the student movement has refused a one-on-one debate with Aleksandar Vucic in a media landscape largely dominated by the government.

Students engage directly with citizens

The student movement’s campaign gives significant importance to political and economic proposals developed with the help of experts on their list. According to Danas, "It's a novelty in Serbia: the 250 candidates who represent the students are actively participating in the campaign, traveling around the country, meeting citizens, exchanging with them, and introducing themselves personally."

Polls show tight race

According to opinion polls cited by regional television N1, the "Students Win" list would gather between 37% and 45% of the voting intentions, while some polls credit the government list with 47% to 48%. The differences between institutes remain significant.

Doubts about election credibility

The opposition weekly Radar warns that "No matter what result is announced, a large part of the Serbs risk not believing it," and fears that the closure of the vote could mark the beginning of a new political crisis with uncertain outcomes.

Students seen as political transformation

Danas, however, believes the students have already won, regardless of the ballot's verdict: they have deeply transformed Serbian political culture and restored citizens' trust in political processes, convinced that the movement has opened a new page in the country's political history.