By Dejan Cullafiq
(Lecturer at the University of Shkodër “Luigj Gurakuqi”)
One of the most unprecedented civic movements in modern history is now ready to “fight” for the opportunity to take over the leadership of a state that has suffered for years under a political party that appears willing to sacrifice the country’s European path in order to retain power at all costs.
On October 9, the Serbian parliament was dissolved and early parliamentary elections were announced. Two days later, the Student List unveiled to its supporters some of the candidates included among the 250 names who will represent the student movement in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
What immediately stood out when the candidates took the stage was the fact that they were not students, but professionals from various fields, many of them with years of experience. The first seven candidates introduced were: Nemanja Đurić, Chairman of the Trade Union of the Judiciary (Sindikat sudske vlasti); Ilija Šerdanović, cardiologist and professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Novi Sad; Ljubica Oparnica, professor at the Faculty of Education in Sombor; Jovo Bakić, sociologist and professor at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Belgrade; Radomir Sačić, academic and professor at the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Belgrade; Adem Mavrić, political scientist from Novi Pazar; and Tihomir Stanić, actor.
All the candidates were introduced through passionate speeches focusing on the tragedy in Novi Sad, where 16 people lost their lives, as well as on the need to strengthen the rule of law and eliminate phenomena that have damaged Serbian society for years, including corruption, organized crime, and the inability of state institutions to ensure the effective implementation of the law.
The students also unveiled their campaign strategy, which will include a nationwide door-to-door campaign.
At the same time, Aleksandar Vučić is preparing to step down as President of Serbia in order to join the campaign for the early parliamentary elections on October 25, this time as the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) candidate for Prime Minister.
Despite recent divisions within the ruling bloc’s main ally, the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), led by Ivica Dačić, most notably the expulsion of Branko Ružić, one of the most critical voices regarding the SPS’s dependence on the SNS—the ruling coalition remains a powerful electoral force. However, Ružić’s expulsion has also highlighted the internal tensions in the Socialists’ relationship with Vučić and the SNS.
The Student Movement’s announcement of its candidates has already created a political and social resonance that is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. The fact that the candidates were selected from among Serbia’s intellectual and professional circles confirms that the movement is no longer merely a student movement, but is gradually becoming a broader civic movement. This has raised hopes that, should it succeed, the voice of ordinary citizens could finally be heard at the highest levels of decision-making.
Nevertheless, despite the fact that this development has raised hopes for change, the Student Movement faces an extremely difficult battle against a political party with a broad and well-consolidated electoral base.
A carefully planned and effective election campaign could, however, bring the movement the long-awaited result. One thing is certain: the next 43 days will be decisive for the democratic future of Serbia.
© 2026 Argumentum
