Serbia opened polling stations on 25 October for snap parliamentary elections. Former President Aleksandar Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party is competing for power against a movement that grew out of mass student protests. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

Long queues formed in Belgrade and Novi Sad even before polling stations opened, Reuters reports. Voting will close at 20:00 local time (midnight Astana time).

The movement formed a "Student List," but there are no students among the candidates. They offered voters experts, athletes, farmers and artists, according to Associated Press.

Cardiologist Ilija Srdanovic is the first on the list. After voting in Novi Sad, he expressed hope that the elections would be held calmly.

The movement advocates fighting corruption and improving education. Pre-election polls gave contradictory results: Ipsos showed an advantage for Vucic's party — 47% against 40% — while other studies put the students ahead.

In September, Aleksandar Vucic stepped down early from the presidency. He now hopes to lead the government again if his party can form a cabinet.

Vucic already served as prime minister in 2014–2017, after which he became president. Until a new head of state is elected, his duties are performed by parliament speaker Ana Brnabic.

Mass protests began after a canopy collapsed at the reconstructed railway station in Novi Sad in November 2024. Sixteen people died. Protesters linked the tragedy to corruption and negligence during the works.

In March 2025, the actions had already encompassed students, teachers, farmers and workers. Protesters demanded the publication of documents about the station's reconstruction and punishment of those responsible. Amid the protests, Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned.

In August, demonstrations escalated into clashes with police in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Valjevo. In September, thousands of people again took to the streets, demanding an investigation into the use of force against protesters. Police said they were responding to attacks by protesters.

The election commission is expected to announce official results no earlier than Monday, 26 October.