Toronto Star
· collected 2026-09-14 · by Jovana Gec The Associated Press
University students who led nearly two years of anti-government protests in Serbia formally entered the upcoming parliamentary elections on Monday, challenging President Aleksandar Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). The youth movement submitted their election list to authorities after a march through Belgrade, drawing thousands of supporters. This vote, set for October 25, is seen as a significant test for Vucic’s long-standing rule; the SNS has held power since 2012. Protesters were initially spurred by a train station tragedy that killed 16 people in Novi Sad and demanded accountability for alleged corruption in government renovation work.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
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Story summary
University students in Serbia, who have been leading anti-government protests for nearly two years, formally entered the election race ahead of an early parliamentary vote set for October 25. The youth movement submitted their official election list to state authorities after a celebratory march through Belgrade, drawing thousands of supporters. These demonstrations were sparked by a tragic train station incident on November 1, 2024, in Novi Sad, which killed 16 people when a concrete canopy collapsed. Students accused the government of corruption and poor renovation practices leading to the disaster. President Aleksandar Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) has maintained power for 14 years, but faces growing public discontent. The upcoming election is seen as a critical test for Vucic, who seeks to retain his position amid widespread dissatisfaction with his administration.
Written for “Serbian Youth Protests Elections” on 2026-09-14,
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University students behind nearly two years of anti-government protests in Serbia on Monday formally entered the election race before an early parliamentary vote, challenging populist President Aleksandar Vucic.
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students → enter → Vucic
The youth movement submitted their election list to the state election authorities after a joyful march through downtown Belgrade, the capital of the Balkan country.
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movement → submit → country
A few thousand people joined the noisy gathering, clapping in support.
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people → join → support
The Oct. 25 vote is seen as a major test for Vucic, whose Serbian Progressive Party, or SNS, party has held a tight grip on power since taking office 14 years ago.
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party → see → office
The election will be held against the backdrop of heightened political tensions as the governing populists seek to remain in office despite widespread popular discontent.
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populists → hold → discontent
The protests were triggered by a train station tragedy on Nov. 1, 2024, that killed 16 people in northern Serbia.
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that → trigger → Serbia
The students demanded accountability for the concrete canopy collapse in the city of Novi Sad alleging that corruption led to flawed renovation work on the building.
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corruption → demand → building
Almost daily demonstrations, sometimes drawing hundreds of thousands of people, shook Vucic more than at any time since his party came to power in 2012.
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party → draw → 2012
Protesting students have demanded an early parliamentary election for more than a year, but Vucic has apparently waited until he felt strong enough to run.
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he → protest → year
Students believe in victory
Milica Popovic told the crowd on Monday that her fellow students will show that “the law exists in Serbia and that justice is not the privilege of the chosen few.”
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justice → believe → few
“You have told us not to give up and we haven’t,” she said.
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she → tell → us
“It is now time for us to take over the institutions of this country.”
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us → take → country
Vucic said he would resign the presidency on Sept. 27 so that he can lead his Serbian Progressive Party’s campaign, and become the prime minister if they win.
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they → say → campaign
He can’t run for president again since Serbia’s constitution sets a two-term limit.
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constitution → run → limit
An early presidential election will be held separately.
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election → hold → ?
The student-backed list includes university professors, teachers, experts and other individuals from all walks of life.
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list → back → life
The crowd on Monday in Belgrade chanted “Victory,” before heading toward Serbia’s national electoral commission headquarters.
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crowd → chant → headquarters
Participants carried a huge banner reading “Students win,” along with the copy of Belgrade’s landmark Victor monument.
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Students → carry → monument
Vucic blasts opponents
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Vucic → blast → opponents
Vucic on Monday described his chief opponents as a “nameless list, a list without a program, without plans, without anything.”
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Vucic → describe → anything
He alleged an elaborate campaign of lies against his government, including reports that authorities used a sonic weapon against peaceful protesters at a huge gathering last March in Belgrade.
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authorities → allege → Belgrade
Vucic’s SNS party and allied Socialist Party already have submitted their tickets for the election.
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party → ally → election
Several right-wing and centrist opposition parties will also run.
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parties → run → ?
Vucic has pushed back hard against the protesters, sparking international concern over police violence and arbitrary detentions.
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Vucic → push → violence
He has accused the students and their professors of intending to “destroy the state” under unspecified foreign guidance.
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He → accuse → guidance
Serbia’s bid to join the European Union has stalled under Vucic, who has maintained close ties with both Russia and China.
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who → join → Russia
Previous elections in Serbia have been marred by multiple irregularities and violence.
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elections → mar → irregularities
