Serbia's Vucic Launches Prime Minister Bid at Packed Rally

Thousands of supporters of Serbia's populist leader, Aleksandar Vucic, filled Belgrade's largest indoor arena on Saturday for what was presented as the de facto launch of his campaign for prime minister. The rally capped a week of campaigning as Vucic seeks to lead his Serbian Progressive Party to a parliamentary majority in an election set for Oct. 25.

Vucic, who resigned as president on Sept. 27, is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term as president. He declared at the time of his resignation that he would lead his party in the parliamentary election, with the expectation that he would be elected prime minister if his party secures a majority of seats.

The election was called after Vucic resigned, cutting short his second presidential term by more than seven months. Polls suggest the election could be closely contested between Vucic's party and a group of candidates fielded by a student-led protest movement.

Supporters, arriving by dozens of buses from across Serbia, filled the Belgrade Arena carrying Serbian flags and banners bearing Vucic's image. The event was televised widely across the country. Vucic's recent tour of towns and villages appeared to be an effort to bolster his popularity, which has been impacted by nearly two years of sustained anti-government protests.

The youth-backed movement, which spearheaded the protests, is demanding accountability for the Nov. 1, 2024, train station canopy collapse in Novi Sad that killed 16 people. The movement's focus on justice for the tragedy and opposition to corruption has evolved into a significant political force. Its electoral wing, the Student List, aims to unseat Vucic's government, which has been in power for 14 years. Vucic himself has held either the prime minister or president role for the past 12 years.

Student List candidates include university professors, teachers, and experts from various political backgrounds. Vucic has characterized the movement's aims as attempting to "bring Serbia to a halt" and has alleged, without providing evidence, that it receives backing from foreign agents. "Absent an intervention of some (foreign intelligence) service, we will defeat them. And they know that," Vucic told his supporters on Saturday.

The election is taking place amid heightened political tensions in Serbia, with reports of campaign-related altercations. International observers have previously noted irregularities and violence in Serbian elections. Serbia's bid for European Union membership has stalled under Vucic, who maintains close ties with Russia and China. Successive reports from European institutions have warned of democratic backsliding in Serbia, while rights and media freedom groups have raised concerns about police violence, arbitrary detentions, surveillance, and threats against journalists.