Serbia: Who is the Students’ List party that managed to remove Aleksandar Vucic from power

The Student List has come to power in Serbia and ousted Aleksandar Vučić, after 12 years during which he led the country as prime minister or president. The movement was born out of protests sparked by the collapse of the roof of the railway station in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, a tragedy that left 16 people dead.

The movement began with symbolic traffic blockades but grew rapidly. In January 2025, Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, an ally of Vučić, resigned after mass demonstrations. In March, hundreds of thousands of people took part in an anti-government protest in Belgrade, led by students.

The idea of an electoral list emerged in May 2025, and opposition parties were urged not to submit separate candidacies. The Student List was officially established on September 9, 2026. Although it bears this name, none of the candidates is a student. The list includes university professors, actors, farmers, and a rapper, while the lead candidate is cardiologist Ilija Srdanović.

The new government promises to combat corruption, ensure transparency, provide greater freedom for the press, and reform education. However, its stance toward the European Union, its relationship with Kosovo, and its policy toward Russia remain unclear. Analysts warn that bureaucratic resistance could cause institutional instability.