Serbian Students Join Early Parliamentary Race In Bold Move After two years of protests, university students have formally joined the upcoming parliamentary election campaign, challenging President Vucic and the ruling Serbian Progressive Party's hold. The students demand accountability after a tragic building collapse and call for more inclusive governance. The move comes as the government and opposition prepare for a pivotal political showdown. University students who have led a wave of protests across Serbia for nearly two years have formally joined the race for the forthcoming parliamentary elections slated for October 25. The move, announced at a rally in Belgrade on Monday, positions the student-led "Student list - Students win" as a serious contender to the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). The campaign comes amid escalating public discontent, a series of alleged corruption scandals and a national debate over the government's handling of the tragic collapse of a concrete canopy in Novi Sad that claimed 16 lives earlier this year.The student movement has long demanded that the government address accountability and transparent reforms. In a speech to a packed crowd, speaker Milica Popovic urged that the law belongs to all citizens and that justice should not be a privilege for the elite."You have told us not to give up and we haven't," she said. "It is now time for us to take over the institutions of this country. " The coalition behind the student list is not limited to university populations; it also includes professors, teachers, industry experts, and ordinary citizens, all united under a platform that claims to offer a transparent and participatory vision for Serbia's future.The announcement came at a time when Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic is facing pressure. Vucic has announced that he will resign from the presidency on September 27 so that he can focus on leading the SNS campaign, after a two‑term limit barred him from running once more for president. He said the early parliamentary vote will be a decisive test of his party's grip on power.Critics respond by describing the opposition as a "nameless list" lacking a clear program and accusing their campaign of a smearing war. The student movement has countered these allegations by stressing the need for transparency, accountability and institutional reform. In the aftermath of the casualties caused by the Novi Sad canopy collapse, students argued that corrupt practices had led to faulty renovation work by nationalised construction firms.The protests had earlier attracted hundreds of thousands of participants, highlighting the priority of the youth in the political sphere. On the eve of the elections, the university‑led group has taken an active role in the nomination process. Signature‑gathering efforts in front of the National Electoral Commission have gathered thousands of supporters, and a replica of the iconic Belgrade landmark, the "Victor" monument, has been prepared as a symbol of resistance for the march.The students aim to be part of a larger opposition coalition that includes several right‑wing and centrist parties, which are already preparing their tickets. The SNS's own platform is set to present its established policy agenda, with the government maintaining close ties to Russia and China as it tries to counter the surge of dissent. The political and civic drama culminates in an early exit poll that marks a landmark moment in Serbian democracy.The day after the end of the student protest movement, the early election draw is scheduled. The electoral process in Serbia remains fraught with concerns from the international community, who note that past elections have suffered from irregularities, violence and dominated predetermined outcomes. The Student list's aim is clear: to demonstrate that the legal system and democracy are accessible to all citizens, not a select few.Such a move also prompts questions on whether Serbia's electoral system will accommodate this new force. The student group has claimed that their cause will see a more inclusive institution, careful to address the leaking nature of the collapse and to establish accountability, or the watchdog that many human rights advocates have long demanded.As the "Student list - Students win" take part in the electoral process, they hope to herald a new era for civil society in Serbia, where the government's legitimacy is scrutinized with higher accountability. Should the movement succeed and win seats in the parliament, it may fundamentally alter the political dynamics and push Serbia toward a more transparent and accountable governance framework within existing constitutional limits.The students and supporters remain determined to keep pushing for reforms and provide an alternative vision for Serbia's future. The upcoming elections will ultimately show whether these new political forces are able to reshape the country's leadership and address longstanding public grievances.