Serbia’s student movement, which defeated the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in last week’s snap parliamentary elections, has called on senior officials in the police, intelligence services and judiciary to resign.

Representatives of the Students’ List movement made the call during a press conference in the capital Belgrade, urging election authorities to complete the remaining procedures without delay to pave the way for the official announcement of the results and the formation of a new government.

Voting is set to be repeated next Sunday at around 50 polling stations following the elections. The students demanded that a new parliament and government be established as soon as this process is completed.

The student-led Students’ List movement won the election against the SNS, which had been in power for 14 years, opening the way for a major political shift in the country. However, the current administration will remain in office during the transition period, which is expected to last several weeks.

“Change starts now. Institutions belong to citizens, and the law applies to everyone,” student representative Filip Ubovic said during the press conference.

The park in central Belgrade where Ubovic made his remarks was previously used by supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and had reportedly been closed to the public.

Calls for institutional reform and corruption investigations

The student movement accused the SNS of increasing its control over state institutions since Vucic came to power in 2012, claiming that senior police and intelligence officials acted in favour of the ruling party during protests and violated the law.

The officials were accused by the movement of using disproportionate force against protesters, carrying out unlawful surveillance and detentions, and putting pressure on Vucic’s political opponents.

The students also called for reforms in judicial institutions and demanded urgent investigations into major corruption cases that they said had not previously been adequately examined due to political pressure.

The movement urged public officials to prevent any possible destruction of documents or evidence related to alleged misconduct by officials who may leave their posts. It also announced that all contracts related to public spending and state tenders would be reviewed.

“Students’ List is not here to seek revenge. We are not demanding political favours; we are demanding adherence to the law, professionalism and responsibility,” Ubovic said.

Police officials, judges and prosecutors whose resignations were requested by the students have not yet made any public statements regarding the calls.

Vucic accuses students of “revolutionary terror”

Meanwhile, President Vucic accused those who won the elections of carrying out “revolutionary terror” during a press conference following the student movement’s victory.

Vucic’s remarks came after a group entered the offices of Informer TV, a channel that had drawn criticism before the election for broadcasts portraying students as traitors and enemies of the state.

Protests over alleged corruption in public projects intensified after the collapse of a concrete canopy at a railway station in Serbia two years ago, which killed 16 people following renovation works.

Students had led the protests over the incident and later achieved an electoral victory that ended Vucic’s government’s dominance in the early parliamentary elections.

It was also reported that Serbia’s state broadcaster RTS Director General Manja Grcic resigned, while the broadcaster’s Novi Sad branch apologised to viewers over coverage of the November 2024 railway station tragedy, which was criticised as selective and unprofessional.

The students’ election victory has drawn attention across Europe as an example of a long-established political leader being removed from power through an electoral process led by a grassroots youth movement.

Serbia’s EU path returns to focus

Serbia, which is a candidate for European Union membership, has seen its accession talks slow during Vucic’s rule due to concerns over democratic decline and Belgrade’s close relations with Russia.

EU officials said they were ready to support a new Serbian administration in strengthening democracy and the rule of law.(ILKHA)