Following the Students’ List’s decisive victory in Serbia’s parliamentary elections, there is growing speculation about the possibility of extraordinary local elections in the spring of 2027. Political analysts, including Ognjen Gogić, have suggested that these local elections might be scheduled after the upcoming presidential elections, which are anticipated to occur later this year. The Students’ List, which secured 53.01% of the votes in the parliamentary elections, has significantly shifted the political landscape, raising questions about the future of local governance currently dominated by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

The SNS, despite losing its long-standing control at the national level, still governs over 145 municipalities across Serbia. This dominance at the local level is now under scrutiny, as the opposition in several cities is already calling for extraordinary local elections. The push for these elections reflects a broader demand for political change following the Students’ List’s success in 26 out of 29 major cities.

Gogić emphasized the need to test the democratic will of the citizens across these municipalities, suggesting that the process of establishing new local governments aligned with the recent parliamentary outcomes is inevitable. However, he also acknowledged potential resistance and challenges in this transition, noting that the establishment of new governance structures must align with legal and constitutional frameworks.

The legal authority to call for local elections lies with Ana Brnabić, the President of the Serbian Parliament. However, the current technical status of the government complicates the situation, as a government in a technical mandate cannot dissolve local assemblies. This institutional hurdle adds a layer of complexity to the already charged political atmosphere.

In the meantime, civic activist Danijel Dašić has urged caution, arguing that the immediate focus should be on ensuring a smooth transition at the national level. Dašić highlighted the importance of preventing any sabotage of the peaceful transfer of power and ensuring the integrity of the new parliamentary session. He also pointed to the need for accountability regarding potential abuses during the SNS’s 14-year rule.

Political consultant Dušan Milenković noted that in some municipalities, the ruling majorities are quite slim, which could lead to shifts in local governance in the coming months. This sentiment was echoed by Milomir Mandić, founder and researcher at Demostat, who suggested that crises in local assembly majorities might pave the way for extraordinary elections.

The anticipation of local elections underscores the significant political shift initiated by the Students’ List’s parliamentary victory. As Serbia navigates this transition, the potential for local elections remains a focal point of political discourse, with implications for the country’s governance and institutional alignment. The coming months will be critical in determining whether these predicted changes will materialize, as stakeholders continue to negotiate the complex political and institutional landscape.