The student-led “Student List — Students Win” movement has won Serbia’s October 25 snap parliamentary election, ending the Serbian Progressive Party’s (SNS) 14-year dominance. The campaign grew out of protests over a fatal infrastructure accident, but no students stood on its candidate list. At least 135 of its candidates are expected to take seats in parliament, where they will face the challenge of turning street protests into institutional reform.
Celebrations followed in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš. Student groups posted “Serbia is free” on social media. A tent camp set up by government supporters in central Belgrade was later dismantled, as people at the scene chanted that those in power would leave.
Novi Sad station collapse sparked protests
The movement began after a concrete canopy outside the railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city, collapsed on November 1, 2024, killing 16 people. The disaster prompted scrutiny of the renovation work and the management of public projects. Critics linked the failures to corruption and weak oversight.
Students held rallies on university campuses and in city streets, demanding accountability. The protests broadened beyond campuses, drawing in farmers, actors and judges, and grew into a nationwide movement. Helena Ivanov of the Henry Jackson Society said the disaster was the final straw for public patience. She said the movement turned that anger into sustained rallies and organizing, reaching parts of society that traditional opposition parties had failed to engage.
Student organizers built an election campaign
In January 2025, the prime minister at the time resigned, saying the move was intended to ease tensions. Belgrade then saw one of Serbia’s largest anti-government demonstrations in March. Rather than appointing a single leader, the student movement organized through student assemblies and plenary meetings. Ahead of the snap vote, it also mobilized supporters to monitor the polls.
The Student List was headed by cardiologist Ilija Srdanović, who said during the campaign that the movement aimed to restore civic values that had been weakened. Gordana Delić, head of the Balkans program at the German Marshall Fund, described the vote as a de facto referendum centered on the rule of law.
The ruling party had previously described the protesters as “well-intentioned,” before accusing them of trying to overthrow Serbia. After the results were announced, the SNS conceded defeat but continued to criticize the movement, alleging support from an unnamed European country and a U.S. “deep state.” It provided no evidence for the claims.
New lawmakers face pledges on corruption and media
Students did not run as candidates themselves, instead handing places on the list to people from other parts of society. Although Srdanović headed the slate, he was not widely seen as a likely candidate for prime minister. Other candidates include former basketball player Dejan Bodiroga, actor Tihomir Stanić, opera singer Nikola Mikić and former National Bank of Serbia governor Dejan Šoškić, as well as several professors. Šoškić has discussed economic reform proposals and has also faced criticism from pro-government media.
The movement’s pledges include setting up a police unit to arrest those responsible for corruption; removing from the Interior Ministry officials who violated rules for handling protests or had links to organized crime; reforming the media environment and reducing political control over public broadcasters; and ending the appointment of party loyalists to lead state-owned companies. The ruling party and its supporters deny that corruption or media manipulation are issues.
Student organizers say their elected representatives will take into state institutions the struggle waged on the streets over the past year. With no students entering parliament, progress on the reform agenda will depend on the non-student lawmakers and the movement’s ability to coordinate its efforts. The election result has not yet determined who will lead the next government.