World

Serbia holds election as Vučić faces challenge from student-led movement

The Student List is contesting Aleksandar Vučić's 12-year rule after nearly two years of protests over corruption and institutions.

By the NationsDesk desk

· 15 hr ago

Serbia holds election as Vučić faces challenge from student-led movement
Photograph: Photograph: Armin Durgut/AP

What to know

  • Vučić's SNS party anchors the United Serbia list and has relied on state resources and favourable media coverage.
  • The campaign has been overshadowed by accusations of systemic voter manipulation.
  • The Student List emerged from nearly two years of demonstrations against the government and institutional corruption.

Serbians voted on Sunday in an election that pits Aleksandar Vučić against the Student List, a grassroots movement born from nearly two years of protests against his government and institutional corruption. Vučić's SNS party heads the United Serbia list, drawing on control of public funds, friendly media coverage and nationalist support. The campaign was overshadowed by allegations of systematic voter manipulation.

The scale of the challenge to Vučić's 12-year rule was not immediately clear, and no results had been reported. It is unknown how the Student List will perform against the governing party's organisational advantages. Observers have raised questions about the conduct of the vote, and the outcome could shape Serbia's direction after years of protest.

Reporting credit

Written by the NationsDesk desk. The underlying reporting is by The Guardian.

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