Students in Serbia are preparing to submit signatures to the Republic Electoral Commission (RIK) for their electoral list, “Studentska lista – Studenti pobeđuju,” as part of their campaign for the upcoming parliamentary elections. This initiative has garnered significant public support, as evidenced by the long lines of supporters forming across the country. The rector of the University of Belgrade, Vladan Đokić, has publicly endorsed the Students’ List, further highlighting the movement’s momentum.
The student-led initiative has reportedly gathered over 10,000 signatures, surpassing the required threshold for submission, and continues to collect more as public interest remains high. This mobilization reflects a broader trend of political engagement among the youth in Serbia, who have become increasingly active in recent months due to dissatisfaction with the current political climate.
On the evening of September 13, a student from the Students’ List addressed a crowd of about 200 people waiting to sign the list in Hilandarska Street, Belgrade. Despite being informed that they would not be able to sign that evening, the crowd remained, demonstrating their commitment to the cause. The students have organized a gathering at the University of Belgrade’s Rectorate, from where they plan to march together to the RIK to submit the signatures.
The student movement has faced challenges, including issues with notaries who are required to verify the signatures. In some locations, notaries have either been unavailable or unwilling to work, causing delays and frustrations. Nevertheless, the determination of the students and their supporters has been unwavering, with many waiting for hours to sign the list.
The support for the Students’ List is not limited to Belgrade. Across Serbia, citizens have been forming queues to lend their signatures, indicating widespread backing for the student initiative. In some cases, citizens have reported being pressured by employers to sign lists for other political parties, such as the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). Despite these challenges, the student movement continues to gain traction.
Rector Vladan Đokić’s endorsement of the Students’ List underscores the significance of this movement. He expressed optimism about the students’ chances in the elections, stating, “Citizens are awakened, the support is evident, and everything is moving in the right direction. Unity is here, and the Student Movement will certainly win the elections.”
The student movement’s campaign has been marked by its grassroots nature and the public’s enthusiastic response. The initiative represents a potential shift in the political landscape of Serbia, as it challenges the dominance of established political parties. The upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for October 25, will be a critical test for the Students’ List and their ability to translate public support into electoral success.
As the students prepare to submit their signatures, they continue to call for public participation and support. The movement’s leaders have emphasized the importance of collective action, stating, “This is a joint struggle, as it will be a victory. See you in front of the Rectorate.”
The student movement’s efforts are part of a larger narrative of youth activism in Serbia, where young people are increasingly seeking to influence the political process and advocate for change. The Students’ List aims to address key societal issues and provide an alternative to the current political establishment, resonating with a significant portion of the Serbian population.
