From protests to power: how Serbia's students triumphed
Summary
Serbia’s student-led protest movement has won a historic election victory, ending 14 years of rule by Aleksandar Vucic’s right-wing populist camp. The movement, born from anti-corruption outrage after a deadly railway station canopy collapse, is now preparing to form a government and push reforms centered on the rule of law and corruption crackdowns.
Key Points
- Serbia’s student movement won a historic election victory and is set to form a government.
- The protests began after a concrete awning collapsed at Novi Sad train station in November 2024, killing 16 people.
- The movement is leaderless by design, with figures like Ilija Srdanovic and Radomir Saicic among its prominent candidates.
- Its platform focuses on corruption, press freedom, and closer alignment with the European Union while maintaining Serbia’s refusal to sanction Russia.
