The Students’ List, a political movement in Serbia, has pledged to prevent the mass employment of Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) cadres in public sector jobs following their recent electoral victory. During a press conference held in Kragujevac, representatives of the Students’ List addressed concerns about the outgoing regime’s attempts to secure public sector positions for its party activists. They revealed that since the electoral defeat of Aleksandar Vučić and the SNS, there have been requests for hiring 120 workers in the City Administration and 300 in public enterprises in Kragujevac.

The conference, held at the Artium Cultural Club, marked the Students’ List’s first media appearance since their election win. Stefan Stevanović, a lawyer from Kragujevac, highlighted the issue of mass employment in the public sector, noting that these positions were being filled not based on actual needs but to accommodate party activists from the outgoing regime. “The Students’ List, based on reports from citizens, has evidence that these employments are not carried out based on real needs, but to accommodate party activists and other deserving individuals of the outgoing regime,” Stevanović stated.

Stevanović emphasized that the Students’ List is committed to ensuring that public sector employment is conducted based on merit and public principles, rather than political connections. He called for an immediate halt to such employment practices until the new government is formed, warning that all unnecessary hirings would be scrutinized by the new administration. “All individuals, regardless of party affiliation, who are employed and possess professional qualities should not worry about their jobs. However, those employed solely based on party membership should know there are no untouchables,” he asserted.

Jugoslav Ristić, a long-time union activist and future national deputy for the Students’ List, spoke about attempts to destabilize the country by the outgoing regime. He cited a recent incident in Kragujevac where the state-owned Zastava Kovačnica factory had its electricity cut off, which he argued was an effort to create dissatisfaction among workers. Ristić warned against such actions, urging the responsible parties to cease these destabilizing efforts. “The time of accountability is coming, and you will answer for continuing this way, both for the workers and for the factories we must preserve for future generations,” he concluded.

Matija Lazarević, a student at the University of Kragujevac’s Faculty of Law, highlighted the importance of raising awareness about workers’ rights. He reiterated the Students’ List’s commitment to improving workers’ conditions, emphasizing the need for greater protection and better living standards.

The Students’ List’s victory in the October 25, 2026, parliamentary elections marked the end of the SNS’s long-standing rule, signaling a significant political shift in Serbia. The movement’s focus on merit-based public sector employment reflects their broader agenda of reforming governance and addressing systemic issues such as corruption and political patronage. However, their ability to implement these changes may face challenges from existing legal frameworks and potential resistance from the outgoing regime.