Serbia Reports Record Voter Turnout in Parliamentary Election Amid Anti-Government Protests

OPA WIRE, Oct 25 (OPA) — Preliminary figures from the Serbian election commission indicate a record-high turnout of 64.9% by 18:00 local time, two hours before polls closed. The surge in participation follows two years of student-led protests triggered by the 2024 collapse of a train station canopy in Novi Sad, which resulted in 16 deaths and sparked widespread allegations of government negligence and corruption.

The opposition Student List, a coalition of academics, doctors, and professionals, is campaigning on a platform to purge corrupt officials and restore independence to public institutions. While the movement has deployed observers to monitor the 8,210 polling stations, the independent watchdog CRTA reported multiple irregularities and violent incidents. Aleksandar Vučić, leading the Serbian Progressive Party, maintains that his administration has fostered economic growth and infrastructure development, dismissing claims of electoral interference.

Vučić, who served two terms as president, is currently leading his party’s efforts to secure a parliamentary majority, aiming to return to the role of prime minister. His campaign emphasizes continuity, pledging increased pensions and public sector salaries. Conversely, the Student List, headed by professor Ilija Srdanović, has focused its manifesto on dismantling the current political structure, though analysts remain divided on the coalition's ability to form a stable government if successful.

Political analysts warn that a narrow margin of victory could trigger prolonged instability. With both sides signaling potential challenges to the results, the atmosphere in Belgrade remains tense. Police have restricted access around the Republic Electoral Commission as voters continue to express concerns over the integrity of the electoral register, which lists 6.45 million eligible voters in a population of 6.53 million.