Full Breakdown
Aleksandar Vucic Launches Campaign for Prime Minister Ahead of Oct. 25 Election
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Rally and Election Timeline
On Saturday, thousands of supporters gathered at Belgrade’s largest indoor arena for the de facto launch of former President Aleksandar Vucic’s bid to become prime minister. Vucic, barred from a third presidential term, announced that his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) will contest the snap parliamentary election scheduled for October 25. If the SNS secures a majority, the parliament is expected to elect Vucic as prime minister. The snap election was called before Vucic resigned as president on September 27, ending his second term more than seven months early.
Background & Context: Protest Movement and Train Tragedy
The election follows almost two years of sustained anti-government protests led by a youth-backed movement that demands accountability for the November 1, 2024 train-station canopy collapse in Novi Sad, which killed 16 people. The movement’s political arm, the Student List, fields candidates seeking to unseat Vucic’s government. Vucic has ruled Serbia for 14 years, serving as either president or prime minister for the past 12 years, and has toured towns and villages in recent weeks to shore up his popularity amid the unrest.
Key Figures & Groups
- Aleksandar Vucic – Leader of the Serbian Progressive Party, former president, now prime-ministerial candidate.
- Student List – Electoral coalition of university professors, teachers, experts, and other activists emerging from the protest movement.
- European institutions – Bodies monitoring Serbia’s EU accession, which has stalled under Vucic.
- Rights and media-freedom groups – Organizations warning of police violence, arbitrary detentions, surveillance, and threats against journalists.
Official Statements & Responses
European institutions have warned that Serbia is experiencing democratic backsliding, while rights groups have highlighted ongoing police violence and threats to media independence.
Impact & Outlook
The election pits the entrenched SNS against the newly organized Student List, with polls suggesting a potentially tight race. International observers note that previous Serbian elections have been marred by irregularities and violence, raising concerns about the fairness of the upcoming vote. The outcome will determine whether Vucic extends his 14-year hold on power and how Serbia’s stalled EU accession and domestic reform agenda will proceed.