What is the Serbia student movement?
The Serbia student movement is a protest-born political force led by young people in Serbia. It began in Novi Sad after a deadly roof collapse at the main railway station. Its supporters later won a national election, ending the 14 years in power of the party led by Aleksandar Vučić.
Why it's in the news
Serbia's students won a national election on Sunday, ending the 14-year rule of the party led by Aleksandar Vučić. Tennis star Novak Djokovic has publicly praised the movement's victory.
- Novak Djokovic — Djokovic praises Serbia's student movement after election win
Background
The movement started with near-daily student protests in Novi Sad. Demonstrators demanded accountability and justice after a roof collapsed at the city's main railway station, killing people. As the protests spread across the country, police responded with batons and teargas, and political leaders called the young protesters traitors. In April of last year, a group of students cycled from Serbia toward Strasbourg, France, to bring their concerns to Europe. They wrote an open letter to France's president, Emmanuel Macron, saying Serbia needed European support.
The movement then moved from the streets into electoral politics. On Sunday, its supporters won a national election. Over half of voters backed the students, and turnout was the highest since the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1992. The result ended the 14 years in power of Aleksandar Vučić's party. Crowds celebrated in Serbian cities, and some of the same people returned the next day to clean up after the celebrations.
The result shows that a protest movement can win power through the ballot, according to analysts. European commentators are watching closely, since many protests across Europe share a concern that younger generations will be worse off than their parents. Tennis star Novak Djokovic has also praised the movement after the win.