Serbian Student List Wins Election, Raising Uncertainty for Russian Residents

In Serbia’s recent parliamentary election, the opposition coalition known as the Student List achieved a clear victory, ending the dominance of the Serbian Progressive Party led by former president Aleksandar Vučić. Vučić conceded defeat and suggested the incoming administration would soon impose sanctions on Russia, a claim the EU finds doubtful. While European leaders such as Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa congratulated the students and pledged support for reforms, Brussels has criticized Belgrade’s permissive stance toward Russian citizens, who can enter visa-free, obtain residence permits, and receive fast-track citizenship—over 2,000 have done so since 2022.

The Student List’s platform calls for deeper EU integration but also maintains a “traditional partnership” with Moscow and opposes restrictive measures, reflecting domestic concerns over rising rents caused by the influx of Russian migrants. Consequently, it is likely that Serbia will eventually align its visa and citizenship rules with EU expectations, but immediate changes are improbable as the new cabinet focuses on anti-corruption, justice reform, and media freedom, and seeks to preserve discounted Russian gas supplies that meet most of its energy needs.