By Bhasha Singh
The political change brought about by the student-led youth movement in Serbia, a small European country, has created a stir. For the first time in Serbia’s history, an entirely new political group, ‘Student List’, led by students and young people, has won elections in such a short period and is now moving towards forming a government. How this young team will navigate the political challenges ahead and form a government is being closely watched by people and political analysts around the world.
Serbia, a country of around 6.6 million people in southeastern Europe and part of the Balkan region, is currently celebrating the victory of students and democracy. With student movements shaking almost the whole of Europe, the defeat of the political alliance of Aleksandar Vučić, who has dominated Serbian politics since 2014, by a student movement built around the issue of corruption could have far-reaching implications for European politics.
Public anger erupted in Serbia following the collapse of a section of the railway station in the city of Novi Sad on 1 November 2024, which claimed 16 lives. People, particularly young people, blamed the tragedy on corruption in government construction projects and demanded accountability from the authorities. Students demanded that documents related to the railway station tragedy be made public and that action be taken against those responsible. The government’s indifference and rigid attitude gradually transformed the movement into widespread anti-government protests. University students were joined by teachers, professionals and other sections of society. Instead of listening to the protesters’ demands and engaging in dialogue, the Vučić government attempted to discredit and suppress the movement. These efforts failed. On the contrary, what began as a protest against a local tragedy grew into a nationwide movement.
President Vučić accused the student movement of being backed by foreign powers while remaining silent on the issue of corruption. The protesting students came together to form an electoral group called ‘Student List’ and brought on board respected Serbian professionals and educated individuals who had established reputations in their respective fields. This proved to be a game changer.
The most significant feature of this movement was that the students did not confine it to universities and major cities. They reached smaller towns and villages, connecting the issues of corruption and government accountability with the everyday lives of ordinary people. Rather than depending on the leadership of established political parties, they maintained the independent identity of their movement. Even when entering electoral politics, they did not rely solely on student leaders but brought teachers, doctors, economists and other respected professionals into their fold. This helped the movement gain broader social acceptance and emerge as a political alternative beyond anti-government protests.
Following the election results, a large number of highly educated young people, including graduates and PhD holders, have been elected to Serbia’s parliament on the Student List. According to the preliminary results announced up to 26 October, the Student List secured 140 of the 250 seats in the Serbian parliament, receiving approximately 52.71 per cent of the vote. President Vučić has acknowledged his political defeat. However, losing a parliamentary election does not mean that the president immediately loses his constitutional office. The constitutional process of forming a new government and transferring power is yet to be completed.
The victory of Serbia’s students in the parliamentary elections and their journey towards forming a government could certainly influence other European countries. Its impact could be particularly significant in France, where students have been protesting for improvements in educational facilities, better schooling and infrastructure. In Greece, students have taken to the streets against the rising costs of education and living, while student movements have also remained active in Belgium, Italy and other European countries over education budgets, university policies and broader social issues.
Serbia’s victory could give these movements renewed political confidence. It could also have implications for politics in the Balkan region and Serbia’s relations with the European Union and Russia. These developments are significant for India as well, given its longstanding friendly relations with Serbia and the efforts of both countries to expand cooperation in economic, technological and international affairs. (IPA Service)
