Serbian populist leader Vucic launches campaign for prime minister

What the report says

Former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has begun campaigning to become prime minister, turning to a parliamentary election scheduled for October 25 after resigning from the presidency on September 27. Al Jazeera reported that he made the launch at a large rally in Belgrade, where thousands of supporters gathered in the capital’s biggest indoor arena and he promised a strong victory for his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

According to the report, the snap vote could be closely contested between Vucic’s party and candidates linked to a student-led protest movement. The parliamentary race was called before Vucic stepped down, ending his second presidential term early. Because he is barred from seeking another presidential term, a parliamentary majority would allow the SNS to install him as prime minister if it wins enough seats.

The article said Vucic has dominated Serbian politics for years as either president or prime minister, but his standing has been weakened by almost two years of protests. Those demonstrations were driven by demands for accountability after the November 2024 train station canopy collapse in Novi Sad that killed 16 people, and by broader anger over corruption. The protest movement’s electoral wing, the Student List, is expected to challenge the ruling bloc, making the election an important test of Vucic’s grip on power and of the opposition’s ability to turn street protests into electoral gains.