Thousands filled Belgrade Arena as Aleksandar Vucic formally launched his bid to become prime minister ahead of the Oct. 25 parliamentary election after resigning as president on Sept. 27. Vucic will lead the Serbian Progressive Party into a contest polls show could be tightly fought with the Student List, a political movement born from protests over the Nov. 1, 2024 Novi Sad canopy collapse that killed 16. The campaign has been marked by heightened tensions and allegations of past electoral irregularities, while Serbia's EU accession talks remain stalled amid concerns over democracy and media freedom.
Thousands Rally in Belgrade Arena as Aleksandar Vucic Launches Bid for Prime Minister Ahead of Oct. 25 Vote
Serbia's populist leader Aleksandar Vucic speaks during a rally for the de-facto launch of his campaign for prime minister that will culminate in a pivotal election set for Oct. 25 in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo)(AP Photo/)
Thousands of supporters of Serbia's populist leader, Aleksandar Vucic, packed Belgrade's largest indoor arena on Saturday for what amounted to the launch of his campaign to become prime minister ahead of a critical parliamentary election scheduled for Oct. 25.
Campaign Launch
Vucic resigned as president on Sept. 27, cutting his second term short by more than seven months because the constitution bars him from seeking a third presidential term. He announced he would lead the Serbian Progressive Party into the snap parliamentary vote; if his party wins a majority, the assembly is widely expected to appoint him as prime minister.
Rally Atmosphere
Dozens of buses from across Serbia clogged the streets outside Belgrade Arena as supporters arrived waving Serbian flags and carrying banners with Vucic's image. The rally, broadcast by numerous channels nationwide, capped a week of visits in which Vucic toured towns and villages in an apparent effort to rebuild support after nearly two years of sustained anti-government demonstrations.
Supporters of Serbia's populist leader Aleksandar Vucic cheer during rally for the de-facto launch of his campaign for prime minister that will culminate in a pivotal election set for Oct. 25 in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo)(AP Photo/)
Opposition and Origins of the Movement
The youth-backed movement that helped organize the protests initially demanded accountability after the Nov. 1, 2024 collapse of a train-station canopy in the northern city of Novi Sad, a disaster that killed 16 people. What began as a campaign for justice over that catastrophe and against corruption has evolved into a broader political force. Its electoral arm, the Student List, has positioned itself to challenge Vucic and his party, which has been a dominant force in Serbian politics for more than a decade.
Tensions and International Concerns
The campaign is unfolding amid heightened political tensions, with reports of incidents and occasional physical altercations at political events. International observers have previously flagged Serbian elections for irregularities and episodes of violence. Rights and media-freedom organizations have raised concerns about alleged police violence, arbitrary detentions, unauthorized surveillance and threats against journalists.
Geopolitics and EU Accession
Although Serbia is formally a candidate for European Union membership, progress in accession talks has largely stalled under Vucic. He maintains close ties with Russia and China, prompting repeated warnings from European institutions about democratic backsliding and rule-of-law shortcomings in Serbia.
On Saturday, Vucic told supporters: "Absent an intervention of some (foreign intelligence) service, we will defeat them. And they know that."
As the country heads into the Oct. 25 vote, the outcome remains uncertain: polls suggest a potentially close contest between Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party and the coalition formed around the Student List and other opposition groups.
Help us improve.
