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Public pressure for early elections has intensified since November 2024, when a fatal collapse of a concrete slab at the Novi Sad railway station killed 16 people.
Serbia is likely heading towards early parliamentary elections, political sources told local daily Danas, with December 28th considered the most likely date, although other options in October and January are still being considered.
The vote will take place well before the regular parliamentary elections in 2027 and comes after months of increasing political pressure caused by the accident in Novi Sad where infrastructure collapsed at one of the reconstructed stations.
President Aleksandar Vučić confirmed on August 8 that the elections would be held ahead of the legal deadline, but declined to give a specific date. “We will certainly have elections ahead of the constitutional and legal deadline,” Vučić said at a press conference in response to a question from N1.
Political sources told the Danas newspaper that the leadership of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) is leaning towards a vote on December 28th. The move comes amid ongoing nationwide protests, which have challenged the government's legitimacy on issues related to corruption and public safety.
According to an Ipsos poll published on July 30 by the local newspaper Blic, the SNS continues to enjoy strong support, with 46.6% of determined voters backing the party. However, the poll did not take into account potential opposition coalitions or the newly launched "student list," an alliance that includes students, academics, farmers, and labor groups.
A separate survey by Sprint Insight, obtained by bne IntelliNews last month, presented a more competitive picture. The survey showed the student list leading with 54.8% support, ahead of a coalition led by the ruling SNS, the Socialist Party (SPS) and the right-wing Zavetnici with 42.1%.
Vučić acknowledged the popularity of the student list at the press conference, citing recent polls. “They are big favorites, I admit that,” he said, adding, “but they cannot take away my right to fight with like-minded people who do not want to turn Serbia into a pigsty.”
Public pressure for early elections has intensified since November 2024, when a fatal roof collapse at the Novi Sad railway station killed 16 people and sparked widespread protests. This was followed by accusations of government negligence and mismanagement, which ultimately led to the resignation of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević in January.
Although the government attempted to stabilize the situation through a cosmetic cabinet reshuffle and the arrest of several officials on corruption charges, protests have continued, with tensions escalating into violent clashes with police in recent months.
While the SNS maintained control in local elections earlier this year and the parliamentary opposition remains fragmented, the electoral landscape has become more unstable with the emergence of the independent student list.
If confirmed, the December 28 vote will be the second early parliamentary elections in Serbia in less than five years.
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