Students march into Belgrade ahead of Serbian parliamentary election

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 08:32 · Archive

Thousands of students have marched into Belgrade on the eve of a parliamentary election challenging Aleksandar Vučić's government.

Thousands of people lined the streets of Belgrade on Wednesday to greet students arriving in the capital from across Serbia. The marchers carried Serbian flags and were welcomed by cheering crowds in a festive atmosphere, with supporters singing, dancing and applauding as the procession entered the city. Some demonstrators held signs declaring 'Students win!', while others displayed symbols of the student movement.

The parliamentary election on Sunday is being fought between populist strongman Aleksandar Vučić and a youth movement that has led nearly two years of protests against his government. The race is described as tense, with both sides polling close to each other. On Wednesday, Vučić held a competing rally in the southern city of Niš in front of thousands of his flag-waving supporters. He expressed confidence that his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party will win the ballot and vowed 'there will be no more politics in schools and at faculties'. Vučić, the former Serbian president, is looking to return as prime minister after resigning the presidency in September.

Vučić reiterated accusations that students and their professors worked under instructions from abroad to 'breakdown' the country. Ilija Srdanovic, a physician and candidate on the Students' List election ticket, told N1 television that 'this is incredible, this energy is unstoppable'. Authorities detained six people on Wednesday allegedly suspected of planning unrest on election day, reflecting concerns about potential incidents if both sides claim victory after polls close.

How it is being reported

• Serbia: Student protesters flood Belgrade ahead of snap electionsCheers, music and waving flags greeted students arriving in Belgrade from across Serbia on Wednesday, as thousands gathered ahead of a final rally before this weekend's snap parliamentary elections.Euronews · 22 Oct, 08:19
• Students march into Belgrade while populist Vucic holds rally in Serbia's south ahead of voteThousands of people have greeted marching students arriving into Serbia’s capital on the eve of a closing campaign rally ahead of a tense parliamentary election on weekend challenging authoritarian leader Aleksandar VucicThe Independent · 21 Oct, 21:49

In this story: Aleksandar Vučić · Serbia · Belgrade · Serbian Progressive Party · Students' List · Ilija Srdanovic · Niš

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