Student-led protests have challenged Vučić and his Serbian Progressive Party since the November 2024 collapse of a railway-station canopy in Novi Sad, which killed 16 people. Demonstrators blame corruption and failures of state institutions for the disaster and have demanded political accountability and early elections. The movement has adopted the slogan “Students win,” countering the ruling party’s “Serbia wins” campaign, which is visible on banners, stickers and graffiti across Belgrade. Political sociologist Slobodan Marković says the competing slogans reflect a deeply divided society and years of democratic backsliding. Vučić has said he intends to step down, while European Integration Minister Nemanja Starović told TVP World that the resignation could come by the end of summer. The election timetable, however, remains uncertain. Law professor and election-commission member Tanasije Marinković said Vučić’s shifting announcements were intended to distract the public and warned that future elections may not be free and fair. The coming vote could become the biggest test yet of Vučić’s political dominance.
