Serbia Votes Sunday as Vucic's Party Faces Student-Led Challenge After Two Years of Protests

Serbia holds parliamentary elections on Sunday, with the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, whose prime ministerial candidate is Aleksandar Vucic, facing a serious challenge from the Student List, a slate fielded by a student movement. Vucic, the country's dominant figure since 2012, resigned the presidency in September. The movement has protested for almost two years, since a concrete canopy collapsed at Novi Sad railway station in November 2024, killing 16 people. On Thursday evening thousands gathered in Belgrade for the Student List's final rally, many after days of walking from across the country. Foreign Minister Marko Djuric said the student opposition is highly unlikely to win. Analyst Helena Ivanov of the Henry Jackson Society called it the biggest challenge of Vucic's 14-year rule. Vucic says Serbia is deepening ties with Washington while balancing Russia and China and resisting calls to recognize Kosovo.

The left-leaning New York Times frames the vote as part of the Balkans' long political limbo, saying Vucic may extend his grip by using unresolved nationalist resentments. Deutsche Welle leads with the rally's hope and solidarity, quoting student and candidate voices. Fox News centers Vucic's foreign policy and quotes an analyst and the foreign minister. All describe a long-dominant leader facing an unusually competitive election.