‘2 years of anti-government protests’ Serbian general election… Will Vucic's long-term rule end?

Serbia, where anti-government protests have continued for nearly two years, will hold general elections on the 25th (local time).

The key question is whether Aleksandar Vucic, who resigned from his position as president and is attempting to return to power as prime minister, will be forced out of office due to his inability to overcome strong opposition from young people.

According to Reuters and AFP, voting for the general election began at 7 am on this day and continues until 8 pm.

Long lines formed at polling places around the country from early in the morning, and as of 9 a.m., voter turnout had already reached 12%, more than double the rate for the 2023 election.

Vučić, the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) candidate for prime minister, also finished voting after waiting for nearly two hours.

Voter turnout in Serbia has been declining since recording about 70% in the 2000 elections held immediately after the ouster of dictator Slobodan Milosevic's dictatorship, and while SNS was in power, it averaged just over 55%, but voter turnout is expected to rise this time.

A total of 18 political parties and election coalitions, including SNS, are competing in this election, but in reality, it is a contest between the ruling party and the candidates listed on the so-called 'student list' supported by student activists who have led anti-government protests for a long time.

The major opposition parties are encouraging their supporters to support student list candidates without directly running candidates in this election. Most of these 250 candidates are experts in various fields, including academia and the arts, but are assessed to have little political experience.

The long-running anti-government protests were triggered by an accident in November 2024 when a roof collapsed at a train station in Novi Sad, northern Serbia, killing 16 people. Citizens, led by students, have been demanding the president's resignation, citing corruption, disregard for safety regulations, and President Vucic's mismanagement as the causes of the disaster.

Vucic has ruled Serbia for a long time since he was first elected prime minister in 2014.

At a protest led by students on the 22nd, voices erupted and called for a regime change, saying, “Serbia is waking up.” Vučić participated in his last campaign on social media and appealed for votes, saying, “Let us never forget how they tried to destroy our country.”

The outlook is still mixed. According to figures from public opinion polling agency Ipsos released on the 22nd, SNS received 47% of support, ahead of the student list. However, Reuters pointed out that in other surveys, there were cases where the student list took the lead.