The Student List achieved a decisive victory in Serbia’s parliamentary elections, prompting supporters to gather at Pioneers Park in Belgrade the following morning to restore the public space. The park had been occupied for approximately 18 months by a pro-government encampment known as Ćaciland, which housed convicted individuals and was associated with violence against journalists and others. Upon learning of the election results, Serbian Progressive Party leader Aleksandar Vučić announced his party’s defeat and stated he did not want unrest in the streets. This announcement led to the departure of security forces and masked individuals who had gathered in the area, allowing Student List supporters to dismantle the camp.
Hundreds of volunteers worked alongside municipal workers to remove the remains of Ćaciland and restore the park’s infrastructure. Participants cleaned playground equipment, removed debris, and worked to return the space to usable condition. Several volunteers expressed their satisfaction with the outcome, characterizing the cleanup as an expression of their desire for a normal life free from violence. The cleanup effort reflected a pattern established during the Student List’s two-year campaign of anti-corruption protests, during which participants consistently cleaned up after demonstrations.
The Student List’s victory represents a significant political shift, though the movement’s governance approach remains unconventional. Operating without a traditional hierarchy or designated leader, the movement selected its 250 candidates through student assemblies. The group has published an 11-point platform emphasizing anti-corruption measures, judicial reform, media freedom, affordable housing, and healthcare improvements. However, observers have noted gaps in the movement’s stated positions on foreign policy, European Union accession, and regional matters involving neighboring countries.
Political analysts have expressed both optimism and caution regarding the movement’s transition from protest organization to governing body. Some experts worry that the broad coalition’s diverse membership could reveal significant policy disagreements once negotiations over government formation begin. The Student List has not yet named a candidate for prime minister, instead emphasizing that leadership decisions would emerge through democratic processes within the movement. Ilija Srdanović, ranked first on the candidate list, stressed that this position did not predetermine his role in government and that the movement remains committed to avoiding concentration of power.
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