Serbia's Election: 16 Deaths Define a Tight Vote Against Vučić

Sixteen people died when a canopy collapsed at a railway station in Novi Sad, a tragedy that sparked nearly two years of anti-corruption protests in Serbia. The incident has become the central issue in Sunday's parliamentary elections, where analysts expect an extremely close result. Reliable polls are scarce, leaving the outcome uncertain as the country votes.

The opposition effort is organized under a Student List that emerged from these demonstrations. Instead of selecting a single candidate, student-led assemblies at university faculties chose 250 candidates for the ballot. The list is headed by Ilija Srdanović, a cardiologist and professor at Novi Sad University. He arrived for an interview wearing a fluorescent yellow jacket with pro-student slogans. "It is absolutely normal to stand with my students to help them in their fair struggle," Srdanović said. The group has no formal hierarchy, and Srdanović is not the designated leader. Other candidates include academics, athletes, economists, and engineers who lack prior political experience. A student at Novi Sad University, identified as Aleksandra, described this diversity as a strength. "We've gathered people who are actually the best in their fields," she said.

Aleksandar Vučić, who has served as deputy prime minister, prime minister, or president since 2012, faces his toughest challenge in the current term. He called the snap election last month and stepped down as president to run for the premiership. His supporters view him as a strong leader who has defended national interests, driven economic growth, and improved infrastructure over the past decade. Vučić has characterized the student movement as foreign-backed and intent on "bringing down our state."

Critics argue that Vučić and his Serbian Progressive Party dominate state institutions and media. The International Election Observation Mission noted after the 2023 vote that an "overwhelming ruling party advantage" resulted from media bias and the misuse of public resources. For 18 months, a pro-government camp has occupied a small park in central Belgrade. Its residents have repeatedly attacked journalists, a situation Vučić called "a symbol of resistance." The BBC approached leading party figures for comment but received no response.

The Novi Sad disaster remains a vulnerability for the incumbent because the station renovation was part of his flagship Belgrade to Budapest high-speed rail project. Magda Anastasijevic, an Eastern Europe analyst at the conflict monitor ACLED, noted that Vučić had previously survived crises by finding a scapegoat. "This was not the case for the canopy," she said.

Foreign policy has also entered the campaign as Serbia continues EU membership talks while maintaining close ties with Russia and China. Both Moscow and Beijing refuse to recognize Kosovo's independence. Vučić warned that those links could be lost under a Student List government, asking at a rally whether the group would impose sanctions on Russia. Closing rallies highlighted the contrast in style. The ruling party filled Belgrade Arena with Vučić as the sole speaker, while a reported 150,000 people gathered in Slavija Square to hear students and candidates.

Voters now choose between a single strong leader and a collective approach. The result will determine the next government in a country where the democratic history is relatively short.