Serbian voters queued in unusually long lines on Sunday as a student-led movement sought to turn almost two years of protests into an election breakthrough, mounting the biggest challenge to Aleksandar Vucic’s rule in more than a decade.
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The snap parliamentary election follows a wave of demonstrations against perceived corruption and creeping authoritarianism, sparked by the deaths of 16 people when a railway station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad in 2024.
What began as a student protest movement has since drawn widespread support, setting the stage for a closely fought contest with Vucic, who has held power since 2014.
Turnout reached 27.3 percent by 11am, according to pollsters and election monitors CeSID and Ipsos – nearly double the 15.1 percent recorded at the same point in the previous election in 2023.
Queues stretched outside polling stations in cities and towns across the country. Even Vucic waited nearly two hours to cast his ballot.
“It is very important for all people to come and vote if they want to change something and I think it is a time for change,” lawyer Marija Cvjeticanin said at a polling station in Belgrade.
Polling stations were due to close at 8pm, with the first indications of results expected around two hours later.
Student-led movement seeks to unseat ruling party in Serbian election
From street protests to the ballot box
The students have fielded a list of 250 largely unknown candidates, including university professors, actors and farmers. Their campaign centres on rooting out corruption and improving education, although they have said less about their international priorities.
Cardiologist Ilija Srdanovic heads the list, but it remains unclear who would become prime minister if the movement wins.
“I hope that today will pass in a democratic atmosphere, in peace, and that we will legitimately elect a new government in Serbia,” Srdanovic said after voting in Novi Sad.
He said the scenes at polling stations suggested turnout could reach a record for the country’s recent history.
The movement’s entry into electoral politics follows some of Serbia’s largest demonstrations in a generation. Protesters have demanded Vucic’s departure, while rights groups and activists say repression has intensified during the unrest.
For some voters, Sunday’s election offered a chance for a fresh start.
“For decades the people have been waiting for this time, something to bring hope that we can live freely and by the rules of democracy,” actor Jelena Stupljanin, 48, said at a Belgrade polling station.
Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party deny accusations of repression, corruption and spying on opponents.
He has accused the students of receiving funding from foreign agents in Croatia and Montenegro – an allegation the movement dismisses.
“This has been one of the most difficult but the most emotional campaigns,” Vucic told supporters on Thursday. “We stood against those who wanted to destroy Serbia.”
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Vucic defends his record
Vucic, who called the election in September, resigned during his second presidential term to seek a return as prime minister.
He retains a strong base of support among voters who credit him with economic development and modernisation, including the construction of motorways, railways, schools and hospitals.
His campaign promises include higher pensions and public sector salaries, alongside further investment in state healthcare.
“I voted for our children, our young people...our children deserve peace and work, only Vucic can bring that,” said Hatidza, a Roma woman.
Abroad, Vucic has pursued closer ties with China, a major investor, while maintaining relations with Russia, Serbia’s traditional ally and main supplier of natural gas.
He also continues to advocate European Union membership. The EU is Serbia’s largest trading partner, but has grown increasingly frustrated with the pace of reform.
Opinion polls before Sunday’s vote pointed to a tight race. After casting his ballot, Vucic pledged to accept the outcome.
“If we lose we will acknowledge the will of the electorate, if we win no one will take it [from us],” he said.
(with newswires)