Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić dissolved parliament on 9 September and called early elections for 25 October to extend his 14-year hold on power as his presidential term neared its end. His main challenger is the “Student List — Students Win” movement, which emerged from mass protests after a November 2024 train station canopy collapse in Novi Sad killed 16 people, sparking allegations of corruption and negligence.

Vučić, a former nationalist who became prime minister in 2014 and president in 2017, leads the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), which international observers describe as presiding over an electoral autocracy. Freedom House downgraded Serbia from “free” to “partly free” in 2019, citing suppressed debate, attacks on critics, and pressure on independent media. The country’s press freedom rank fell from 54th in 2014 to 104th in 2026, while its corruption ranking dropped from 78th to 116th over the same period.

The Student List, now a broad coalition of professionals including doctors and professors, campaigns on restoring the rule of law, fighting corruption, and expanding media freedom. It avoids divisive issues like EU accession and Kosovo, focusing instead on democratic reforms. Polls show a tight race, with one survey giving the Student List 44.5% support versus 42.7% for Vučić’s SNS-led coalition. The opposition has vowed to prosecute current officials within 14 days if victorious, alleging systemic corruption and ties to organized crime.

Vučić resigned as president to run for prime minister, framing the vote as a choice between stability and chaos. His campaign has targeted pensioners and welfare recipients with financial incentives, while state-aligned media dominate coverage. Independent outlets like N1 and Nova, recently acquired by a firm linked to Vučić’s circle, have seen editorial changes and staff departures. Election monitors report over 100 incidents of violence, unequal media access, and pressure on public sector workers to support the ruling party. The EU has expressed concerns about the fairness and security of the process.