Serbian student movement fields 250-candidate list for upcoming snap election
Student activists in Serbia have submitted a 250-person candidate list for the October 25 snap parliamentary vote, securing certification with over 69,000 signatures.
Serbian student protesters, who have occupied lecture halls and blocked streets for nearly two years, have transitioned to formal politics by submitting a 250-candidate roster for the October 25 snap parliamentary election. Certified by the electoral commission with 69,099 valid signatures—well above the legal minimum—the list, named Students’ List—Students Win, is headed by University of Novi Sad cardiologist Ilija Srdanović, a figure previously unknown outside academia.
The slate features a mix of doctors, engineers, artists and former athletes, including Dejan Bodiroga, Dejan Šoškić, actor Tihomir Stanić and Mihail Dudaš, selected through plenary discussions rather than party hierarchies. The movement’s 11-point programme focuses on institutional reforms, anti-corruption measures and economic support for startups and farmers, while avoiding detailed positions on foreign policy or Kosovo. Though supported by several opposition parties, the student list competes against the ruling Serbian Progressive Party’s banner led by President Aleksandar Vučić and a fragmented opposition field.
Why it matters
The student list could reshape Serbia's political landscape by introducing non-traditional candidates and reform-focused policies.
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