The students vs. the strongman: Serbia heads to a decisive vote

Serbian citizens are voting in early parliamentary elections. A list backed by the student movement is challenging the party of Aleksandar Vučić, who shortened his presidential term to run for prime minister. The protests began after the collapse of the railway station roof in Novi Sad in 2024.

Serbian citizens are voting in early parliamentary elections, where a list backed by the student movement is challenging the party of Aleksandar Vučić. The wave of protests began after the collapse of the railway station roof in Novi Sad in 2024, which killed 16 people. The demand for a transparent investigation expanded into protests against corruption and calls for elections. Vučić announced snap elections and shortened his presidential term to run for prime minister. He accuses the protest movement of attempting a coup with foreign funding. Polling stations opened at seven in the morning and are expected to close at eight in the evening.