Serbian Voters Turn Against Vucic, Demanding Quick Change

Aleksandar Vucic lost his grip on Serbian politics on October 25. The Student List won 53% of the vote, leaving his Serbian Progressive Party with 39%. Since then, the outgoing president has accused the new leaders of practicing revolutionary terror. He warned that if the state does not stop beatings and destruction, his supporters will organize themselves.

The shift in power has been swift. Citizens in many cities removed portraits of Vucic from municipal buildings. The public prosecutor's office for organized crime opened investigations into electoral fraud. A special commission is now examining the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade. Critics argue that office did Vucic's bidding and persecuted his opponents.

These accusations are not new. For years, Vucic's system kept the media under tight control. State contracts went to loyal companies. Links between the state and organized crime were a constant topic. The final break came after the collapse of a concrete canopy at a renovated railway station in Novi Sad two years ago. Sixteen people died in that accident, which resulted from poor workmanship and corruption.

The media landscape is changing fast. Tabloid outlets loyal to Vucic no longer call the Student List terrorists or mercenaries. On Monday, a small group of protesters invaded the Informer TV station. Journalists' associations are calling for its license to be revoked after thousands of complaints. The immediate resignation of the general director of state broadcaster RTS and the dismissal of senior editors have also drawn attention.

Dejan Bursac, a professor at Belgrade University, noted that a society oppressed for a long time expects justice. He said people are getting impatient in the current power vacuum. Vucic and his officials promise a strong opposition and expect a quick comeback. However, most critics want Vucic investigated and charged. Bursac said the party is acting as if it lost a local election, not a national mandate.

Zlatko Minic from Transparency Serbia warned that officials can still award contracts and create financial obligations before they leave office. He said this can happen without committing a criminal offense. The Student List has contacts in the police and administration who opposed Vucic's style. The List demanded the resignations of leading officials in the police and judiciary on Wednesday. Whistleblowers were asked to come forward if documents are destroyed.

The Student List plans to keep foreign policy stable. It wants to advance European Union accession talks through real reforms. The group opposes sanctions on Russia and the recognition of Kosovo. Oliver Toskovic, a psychology professor and future member of parliament, said the plan is to stabilize the country. He noted that Serbia is dependent on Russian energy and that sanctions would cause destabilization.

Ilija Srdanovic, the lead candidate for the Student List, said the party is open to dialog with the government in Pristina. He has already spoken by phone with the prime minister of Croatia. The electoral process is not finished. On Sunday, November 1, the vote will be repeated in about 50 polling stations due to irregularities. Once these votes are counted, the new parliament can convene. The formation of a government is expected to be quick.