- Hundreds of thousands of supporters of Serbia's protesting youth movement gathered Thursday at the final campaign rally ahead of a tense weekend parliamentary election, with crowds filling Belgrade's central Slavija square and several blocks of streets around the area.
- The flag-waving, boisterous crowds chanted 'Victory' in a wave of optimism ahead of Sunday’s early vote, which comes after almost two years of protests against Aleksandar Vucic's tight rule.
- Support for the student movement has grown since the protests first started in November 2024, and their Students’ List election ticket is polling neck and neck with Vucic’s right-wing Serbian Progressive Party despite the ruling populists’ tight control over mainstream media and all institutions.
- Analysts say that a close result could make the outcome uncertain and pave the way for potential post-election instability if both sides declare victory after polls close on Sunday.
- Vucic, who controls the police, has said that any unrest after the vote would be swiftly quashed, and he has campaigned fiercely, accusing the students of being financed from abroad to destroy the country.
- International election monitors and the European Union (EU) have expressed concerns about the safety and fairness of the ballot, which has been marred by near-total government control over the media, reports of surveillance and cyber attacks on activists, and a deeply polarized society.
- Vucic held his closing rally on Thursday at a sports hall in a separate part of Belgrade before several thousand people, expecting a victory by a margin of several hundred thousand votes in favor of his SNS party, but also conceding a 'tough, uncertain struggle' and predicting that 'nothing special will happen' on election night.
Hundreds of thousands of supporters of Serbia's student movement gathered in Belgrade for a final rally before the parliamentary elections, expressing optimism with chants of “Victory”. The Students’ List is polling closely with President Aleksandar Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party, raising concerns of potential instability.3457810111213
The protests, which began in November 2024, have gained momentum as the youth movement challenges Vucic's tight grip on power. Drama student Natalija Stepanovic addressed the crowd, stating, “Tyrants will pass, like they always do, but the people of this country never will.” Vucic, who controls the police, has warned that any unrest post-election will be swiftly dealt with.
International monitors have raised concerns about the election's fairness, citing government control over media, surveillance, and cyber attacks on activists. Vucic, who held his own rally, predicted a victory margin of several hundred thousand votes but acknowledged the potential for a “tough, uncertain struggle.” Analysts warn that a close result could lead to both sides claiming victory, increasing the risk of unrest.
As the election approaches, the atmosphere in Belgrade remains charged, with both sides preparing for a decisive showdown that could reshape Serbia's political landscape.
“The Students' List ticket is polling neck and neck with Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party despite his tight control over media and institutions. Vucic, who controls the police, has vowed to swiftly quash any unrest, while the EU and monitors have raised concerns about ballot fairness.”
