A student protest movement has gripped Serbia for two years. This weekend it will try to take power
Unorthodox campaign is challenging the ruling party’s 12-year reign with a bold democratic experiment
TL;DR
- Student List, a mass student movement, is putting forward candidates in Serbian parliamentary elections to challenge Aleksandar Vučić's rule.
- The movement was galvanized by a fatal infrastructure collapse, highlighting issues of corruption and accountability.
- Key complaints include widespread corruption, poor infrastructure in Belgrade suburbs, and uneven economic distribution.
- Student List aims to emulate the defeat of Viktor Orbán in Hungary, hoping for a democratic resurgence in central Europe.
- The ruling party, led by Vučić, controls state media and has been accused of rigging elections and using intimidation tactics.
- The students' campaign is characterized by an unorthodox, collective approach, avoiding traditional leadership structures.
- Concerns exist about post-election unrest due to the potential for neither side to accept a loss.