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Cycling Students Rally in Kragujevac Ahead of Serbia’s October Election
By Drooid · · How we work
Arrival of Cycling Students in Kragujevac
Thousands gathered in the central Serbian city of Kragujevac to greet a group of university students concluding a ten-day cycling tour of the Balkans. The cyclists rode into the town carrying copies of Serbia’s Constitution as a symbolic appeal for the rule of law. The crowd waved Serbian flags, sang, and lifted bicycles in celebration, while many participants expressed emotion at the sight of the “Students’ List” – a slate of non-partisan experts, professors and teachers challenging the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
Background of Protests and Upcoming Election
The student-led movement grew out of protests that began after a train-station collapse earlier this year killed 16 people, sparking widespread anger over alleged corruption. Demonstrators have also demanded accountability for a concrete-canopy failure in Novi Sad. The protests have intensified pressure on President Aleksandar Vucic, whose party has governed since 2012. An early election scheduled for October will test Vucic’s hold on power, with the student-backed ticket positioning itself as an alternative to the incumbent administration.
Official Plans and Statements from Aleksandar Vucic
President Vucic announced that he will resign the presidency so he can run for prime minister if the SNS wins the upcoming vote. He told reporters he had spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin about a gas-supply deal for Serbia and organized a farewell gathering for presidential staff. Vucic also indicated plans to host the national boxing team the following morning.
Opposition and International Concerns
Vucic has accused the students and their academic supporters of seeking to “destroy the state” under foreign influence. Students countered that authorities have treated them as enemies, spying on them and filing accusations. International observers have voiced concern over reports of police violence and arbitrary detentions linked to the protests, noting that Serbia’s bid to join the European Union remains stalled under Vucic’s close ties with Russia and China. Past Serbian elections have been criticized for irregularities and violence.
Impact and Outlook
The Kragujevac rally underscores a broader national drive for change, linking youthful activism with demands for governmental accountability. The upcoming October election will determine whether the “Students’ List” can translate street momentum into parliamentary representation, while the government’s response to dissent will shape Serbia’s relationship with the EU and its broader geopolitical orientation.