Belgrade student arrival
The student arrival in Belgrade clearly shows the momentum of the anti-government movement. Students arriving from the north, west, east, and central regions of the country met crowds near the University of Belgrade’s Rectorate on October 21, where a red carpet greeted marchers before their planned 18:00 gathering at Slavija Square. People waved flags, blew whistles, lit torches, and played music as cheers, songs, fireworks, and celebration greeted marchers. The "Students Win" list, headed by cardiologist and university professor Ilija Srdanovic, uses the slogan "Victory is Calling". This movement grew from the November 2024 railway station disaster in Novi Sad, where a collapsing roof killed 16 people. Theatre director Zeljko Hubac, actor Tihomir Stanic, and sociologist Jovo Bakic joined the marchers to support a platform of judicial independence, anti-corruption measures, greater transparency in public procurement, and institutional reform. The movement brings together academics, doctors, engineers, and artists to challenge the long-standing rule of Aleksandar Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party. This group previously organized university blockades, strikes, road closures, and mass rallies. Earlier, a rally at Slavija Square on 15 March 2025 drew an estimated 300,000 people, according to the Archive of Public Gatherings.
Political tension and election details
The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) holds its own final campaign rally on October 22 at 16:00 in a New Belgrade sports hall. Aleksandar Vucic, who resigned as president in September to run as the SNS candidate for prime minister, says the party expects to win nationwide. The SNS has also organized rallies in other cities, including Nis and Novi Sad.
| Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| SNS Rally | 16:00 | New Belgrade sports hall |
| Student Rally | 18:00 | Slavija Square |
| Basketball Derby | Evening | Belgrade Arena |
Opposition figures claim the detention of six men ahead of Sunday’s snap parliamentary election constitutes political intimidation. Prosecutors allege these men prepared to overthrow the constitutional order, but the opposition describes the case as a way to intimidate them. These concerns exist alongside reports of unequal media access, pressure on public-sector employees, unfair use of state resources, and possible electoral irregularities. Recent polls suggest the student-backed list could significantly reduce the SNS’s support, but the ruling party retains extensive political networks and a strong base among older voters. The student movement seeks to mobilize undecided voters and convert a broad coalition into votes. Belgrade also hosts two major sporting events on Thursday evening. Red Star Belgrade plays Copenhagen at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, while Partizan and Red Star meet in a EuroLeague basketball derby at the Belgrade Arena before 20,000 expected spectators. The concentration of political supporters and sports fans across the capital raises questions about security and crowd management.
